Municipalities were able to apply to this digital equity planning opportunity through April 25, 2025. MBI reviewed applications on a rolling basis to ensure that all required eligibility criteria were met. Upon review and approval for participation in the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program, MBI provided a list of prequalified consultants that could serve the applicant's needs. The municipal applicant then selected a consultant. MBI then executed a work order with the consultant to provide the planning services and the consultant and municipality engaged in the work. The full cost of the consultant's services is covered by MBI under this program. 

Flow chart explanation of Municipal Digital Equity Planning Application Process

MBI evaluated applications for the presence of impacted (300% poverty) or disproportionately impacted (185%) populations, as defined under U.S. Treasury Guidance related to ARPA SLFR Funds. Communities that demonstrated the presence of these populations were considered eligible to participate in the Digital Equity Planning Program. 

A list of questions and answers have been collected and made public as a helpful resource.

Review FAQs

The Digital Equity Charrette option was a low barrier to entry option to support municipalities with limited staff capacity and existing knowledge or activities related to digital equity. As part of the Digital Equity Charrette, consultants organized and facilitated an intensive workshop engaging municipal officials, community groups and other stakeholders to gather information on the needs of residents and the digital equity issues facing the municipality and focusing on the populations most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With guidance from the municipality’s chosen consultant, digital equity stakeholders worked together to identify priorities, challenges, and solutions addressing the digital equity divide in the municipality

At the end of the charrette, the municipality received a summary report deliverable with strategic recommendations to begin, modify, or expanded digital equity programs/investments and a detailed, realistic vision for action.

The Digital Equity Planning option is designed to provide municipalities an opportunity to execute a full comprehensive planning exercise. For the Digital Equity Planning option, consultants provide expanded data collection and dive into deeper conversations and engagement with digital equity stakeholders. 

Through the Digital Equity Planning process consultants conducted a comprehensive existing conditions analysis providing a baseline overview of digital access and equity gaps affecting the municipality’s populations - including levels of broadband subscription, aggregate speed data, available services and pricing options, and device access/usage.

In coordination with municipal partners, consultants also engaged in an expanded community/stakeholder engagement process to collect a more nuanced and localized layer of data onto the existing conditions analysis to inform community specific needs related to digital literacy, devices, connectivity, affordability, and other issues related to digital equity.

A suite of strategic recommendations that meet the needs and goals of residents experiencing the impacts of the digital divide was delivered for consideration and adoption by the municipality. These recommendations included an assessment of existing or future funding opportunities available through sources that include the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”). 

Municipalities received a cohesive and comprehensive final deliverable in report format at the end of the planning process.

See a sample Digital Equity Plan here.

The Municipal Digital Equity Planning program was designed to integrate with the Massachusetts Statewide Digital Equity Plan. Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. Congress allocated $1.45 billion to the Digital Equity Act (DEA) to support states to develop and implement digital equity strategies and initiatives. Massachusetts has created a statewide digital equity plan that provides the vision, goals, and implementation strategy for future investments. 

The Massachusetts Digital Equity Partnerships Program has designated nine Partners as qualified organizations that can implement a suite of digital equity projects that meet the goals outlined in the state’s legislation.

Partners work with organizations including municipal agencies, community development corporations (CDCs), community-based organizations (CBOs), public housing authorities, community colleges, local and regional school districts, healthcare and telehealth organizations (including federally qualified community health centers), and other entities as sub-awardees to implement digital equity projects.

MBI has identified six program areas that align with the legislative goals of the Broadband Innovation Fund and meet federal requirements established by the US Treasury for the use of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLRF). 

To the extent that municipalities identify local strategies that align with the program areas under the Digital Equity Partnerships program MBI will work to facilitate connection points between active Digital Equity Partners and municipalities engaging in the Digital Equity Planning program.

The Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Program enabled municipalities who need funding to mobilize, start-up, and implement digital equity activities locally to access a one-time grant up to $100,000 per municipality to execute a project (or projects) defined in their Digital Equity Plan, Digital Equity Planning Charette, or pre-existing local digital equity plan or related document that MBI deems of sufficient standard. Project implementation increases access and usage of the internet for the populations most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the digital divide. 

Municipalities were strongly encouraged to utilize their planning consultants from the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program to define a project (or set of projects) scope and budget for implementation. Upon approval from MBI, municipalities started project implementation and were accountable to MBI’s reporting requirements, which vary by proposed focus area(s).