Digital Equity Act Update 

Published on May 6, 2025

In late April, the NJ State Library (NJSL) and the New Jersey Office of Broadband Connectivity (NJOBC) formalized their partnership to administer programs addressing New Jersey’s digital divide.

Under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to mitigate the challenges and devastating impact of digital exclusion. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded NJOBC over $18 million in Capacity Grant Funds to implement New Jersey’s Digital Equity Plan through initiatives that will directly meet the needs of community members, primarily among members of Covered Populations.  

NJSL will administer subgrant programs and digital inclusion activities in coordination with NJOBC: 

• Targeted Awards for Community Center Digital Connect (CCDC) Grantees ($5,791,600) – Awards will enable current CCDC grantees to expand and enhance their digital inclusion services, resources, and community support. 

• Competitive Subawards for Digital Inclusion Initiatives ($5,791,600) – A competitive grant program will support community-based organizations promoting broadband access, device access, technical support, and/or digital literacy skill building. 

• Implementing Statewide Digital Equity Goals – Programmatic activities include establishing a Digital Inclusion Community of Practice, developing and implementing statewide Digital Literacy Standards, hosting an annual Digital Inclusion Forum, and launching a New Jersey Digital Inclusion Week. 

More information about these initiatives will be shared in the coming weeks.  

Questions can be directed to Andrea Levandowski: alevandowski@njstatelib.org