Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1.33 Million to Expand Internet Access and Digital Skills Training

Municipality 

Project Summary 

Award 

Project Focus Areas 

Adams 

The Town of Adams will make enhancements to the Greylock Glenn Outdoor Center and the Adams Free Library to bolster participation at public events. The town will also ensure access to digital literacy programs and improve internet services. The town will purchase new devices (Chromebooks, tablets, hot spots) for use at the library and the Council on Aging.  

$64,303.00 

Public Space Modernization; Digital Literacy; Device Distribution 

Charlton 

Charlton will hire a Digital Inclusion Aide to support digital literacy, accessibility and navigating internet services. The town will train the Aide and provide classes and devices to residents. Charlton will also expand the Charlton Public Library’s supply of devices to support residents without access to the internet at home. 

$84,990.87 

Digital Literacy; Device Distribution 

Cheshire 

This grant opportunity will support “Tech for Cheshire,” a new device lending program. The town will purchase 15 laptops and 10 tablets for its public library and senior center to deliver to patrons. The town will also purchase one hot spot device to improve operations and access to public resources. 

$9,040.00 

Public Space Modernization; Device Distribution 

Easthampton 

Easthampton will partner with a local public media nonprofit, E-Media, to reach digital learners throughout the city. E-Media will expand digital literacy programming on topics like applying to jobs, accessing telemedicine and applying for public benefits, among others. E-Media will also have a “learn-to-earn" program where participants receive a digital device after participating in digital training. 

$99,515.00 

Digital Literacy; Device Distribution 

Fairhaven 

Fairhaven will advance access to devices and digital literacy skills through a collaboration with the Millicent Library, Tech Goes Home (TGH), the Council on Aging (COA) and local nonprofit organizations. Funding will enable the COA and library to partner with TGH to provide digital literacy classes, purchase devices and expand the classes to other organizations. The town will also help Fairhaven TV acquire an assistive listening system to improve access to public resources for individuals with auditory support needs. 

$54,675.02 

Digital Literacy; Device Distribution 

Florida 

The “Florida Tech for Teachers” project will provide the Gabriel Abbott Memorial School with devices to improve quality and access to technology and online learning. The town will purchase Chromebooks for students, laptops for staff, and two Smartboards. These devices will benefit 102 members of the school community.  

$23,100.00 

Device Distribution 

Greenfield 

Greenfield will support operating expenses to provide free internet in Greenfield Housing Authority units. The city will buy hot spots and laptops for the Greenfield Public Library, support access for students in need through The Literacy Project, purchase language translator devices to improve public engagement and deploy ADA-compliant widgets on the city’s website to enhance accessibility of public resources. 

$80,679.60 

Wi-Fi Access; Device Distribution; Education, Outreach, and Adoption 

Lanesborough 

Lanesborough is spearheading their digital equity efforts through a program called “Lanesborough Connects,” which is investing in community-wide upgrades to public spaces, digital literacy training and devices. The town will, through the library and Council on Aging, make upgrades to the public Wi-Fi network and offer free digital literacy training in partnership with an external partner. 

$53,626.45 

Public Space Modernization; Digital Literacy; Device Distribution 

Lynn 

Lynn will support three organizations as a planning participant: Lynn Community TV (LCTV), New American Association of Massachusetts (NAAM), and Pathways. LCTV will improve its computer lab, conduct community outreach and increase digital skills offerings. NAAM will acquire devices for adult students including English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. Pathways will work to build an eight-week curriculum introducing adult students to technology and assisting them on how to succeed in the modern workforce. 

$100,000.00 

Public Space Modernization; Digital Literacy; Device Distribution; Education, Outreach, and Adoption 

Montague 

Montague will build upon the Council on Aging’s (COA) digital literacy efforts. Older adults who participate in a six-week in-person digital literacy training workshop will receive a laptop for continued use following the training. The COA will also continue its weekly tech support drop-in sessions at the senior center. 

$26,110.00 

Digital Literacy; Device Distribution 

New Bedford 

The City of New Bedford will focus on disseminating digital literacy and device access through its Council on Aging (COA) and Thinkabit Labs. The COA will purchase devices and provide digital literacy classes in its newly renovated computer lab. The Thinkabit Lab will broaden its services, extend its hours, acquire new equipment and improve their internet service.  

$85,000.04 

Digital Literacy; Device Distribution 

North Adams 

The “Digital North Adams” project focuses on advancing public spaces to improve public Wi-Fi and device access. The city’s IT department will offer free training opportunities focused on digital skills through the North Adams Public Library. 

$60,291.08 

Public Space Modernization 

Peabody 

Peabody will bring free Wi-Fi to shelters operated by Citizens Inn, a Peabody nonprofit that seeks to end hunger and homelessness across the North Shore. The city will support Wi-Fi availability through a digital navigator that offers technical skills, device access support and a case manager to help families with connectivity and training options in the shelters. 

$95,041.00 

Wi-Fi Access; Digital Literacy; Education, Outreach, and Adoption 

Pittsfield 

Pittsfield is extending its public Wi-Fi network into Durant Park in a neighborhood designated as an Environmental Justice Community. The city will also acquire a digital equity consultant to support the director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the IT director. The consultant will assist in coalition building, promoting civic engagement and conveying digital equity topics to local organizations and their clients. 

$99,972.00 

Public Space Modernization; Education, Outreach, and Adoption 

Randolph 

Randolph will establish a “Technology Training for Community Members (TTCM)” program that will hire a digital inclusion coordinator following the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s Digital Navigator Model. The digital inclusion coordinator will work to establish a training course through the Turner Free Library and Mattapan Tech, and hire 5-10 digital navigators from those who participate to support digital literacy community wide. 

$71,688.00 

Digital Literacy; Education, Outreach, and Adoption 

Sandwich 

The Town of Sandwich will implement digital literacy classes at the Center for Active Living and the public library. The town will purchase laptops and Chromebooks to facilitate classes, as well as desktop computers to assist community members with walk-in technical needs at the library. 

$64,893.95 

Digital Literacy 

Somerville 

The City of Somerville will hire a full-time digital navigator jointly with the Somerville Housing Authority (SHA). The digital navigator will help residents of the Mystic Housing Apartments connect to improved broadband provided via the MAPC Apartment Wi-Fi program. The digital navigator will also assist with device utilization, digital literacy and digital skills training. 

$99,886.56 

Digital Literacy; Education, Outreach, and Adoption 

Watertown 

Watertown will support operating expenses to provide free internet in Watertown Housing Authority units. As a result, this will help bridge the affordability gap in the city. Watertown will work with its Community Outreach team to establish a public engagement plan that will help residents connect to the free internet service. 

$61,151.06 

Wi-Fi Access 

Worcester 

The Worcester Public Library (WPL) will work to bridge the digital divide by increasing the supply of hot spots, providing free computer classes in both English and Spanish, and convening a Regional Digital Equity Coalition. WPL will also partner with the nonprofit Tech Goes Home to provide devices to learners and certify staff members in their digital literacy training model. 

$100,000.00 

Digital Literacy; Device Distribution 

Municipality  

Project Summary 

Barnstable  

The Town of Barnstable will identify ways to improve high-speed broadband connectivity downtown to strengthen local businesses and overall economic development. Additionally, Barnstable is seeking technical assistance to improve its current planning initiatives. 

Beverly 

Beverly will implement a city-wide data analysis and host community engagement sessions over three months. The town is focused on expanding accessibility for those with disabilities and who use Languages Other Than English (LOTE). The city plans to eliminate barriers that prevent residents from fully utilizing programs and services across the community. 

Cambridge 

Cambridge’s Public Library and IT department will work with MBI and other partners to bridge digital, educational, economic and cultural divides. This planning process will further Cambridge’s efforts and give residents who have been historically excluded the tools to pursue their careers and fully participate in the community. 

Chelsea 

Chelsea will begin its first comprehensive master plan in FY 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic spotlighted the fact that accessible, cost-effective broadband services are essential for all residents. Their goal is to help create more digital literacy, increase reliable internet access, and ultimately, bridge the digital divide. 

East Longmeadow 

East Longmeadow recently established a Municipal Light Plant (MLP) and will create an affordable and accessible fiber internet network for the community. The planning process will help with outreach, digital literacy, telehealth applications and skill workshops to support older adults and other underserved populations. 

Gill 

The Town of Gill will work to provide affordable broadband, address digital literacy gaps and bolster local communication for marginalized populations, including low-income, minority, immigrant, non-English speakers, older adults and youth. 

Hadley 

Through creating a Digital Equity Plan, Hadley will work to address the needs of its vulnerable populations (older adults, low-income residents and refugees) for affordable, reliable broadband services. In addition to hosting townwide listening sessions, Hadley will also implement digital literacy courses and health technology training. 

Haverhill 

Haverhill will work to provide its residents with high-speed broadband connectivity, lower internet costs and computer skills courses for all ages. The city also plans to implement a community needs assessment to survey skill levels and other gaps residents face with internet access and city services.   

Hubbardston 

The Town of Hubbardston will address internet cost, implement digital literacy training and digital resource access issues among its residents, specifically older adults, non-native English speakers and those who live in remote areas. Hubbardston will develop a strategic plan to address these gaps and position itself for future state and federal grant program funding.  

Lawerence 

Lawerence will draft a strategic plan focused on closing the digital divide to ensure all residents have equal access to broadband services and bolster technological infrastructure in key areas. Community surveys and workshops will be implemented to gauge the digital access, and literacy needs and obstacles of residents. 

Methuen 

Methuen will develop a plan to address the digital equity gaps among its underserved populations, specifically immigrants, older adults, low-income individuals, those with disabilities and non-English speakers. The city will also distribute online and written multilingual surveys, host community forums and develop digital literacy classes to meet residents' needs and improve its digital economy. 

Millbury 

To reach a wide range of residents and a comprehensive understanding of the digital equity issues, Millbury will implement surveys and host public meetings to get insight on internet and broadband services as well as necessary steps to improve digital equity. This effort with build upon Millbury’s 2019 master plan and support its ongoing housing production plan. 

North Andover 

The Town of North Andover aims to increase internet access and affordability in low-income households. This effort will help North Andover advance its 2018 master plan to better identify barriers and strategies to tackle digital equity issues. North Andover will implement surveys and host public meetings to get accurate feedback from its residents. 

Plymouth County Tri-Town Region (Rochester, Marion and Mattapoisett) 

The Plymouth County Tri-Town Region, represented by Rochester, Marion and Mattapoisett, plans to increase digital literacy among residents, especially aging and low-income populations, and identify strategies to apply for future programmatic and infrastructure funding. The towns will also share community surveys and create a Regional Digital Equity Plan. 

Somerset 

Somerset will improve digital literacy, internet affordability and access for its large aging community. As this population is retired and lives on a fixed income, Somerset plans to lessen their obstacles via distributing surveys and conducting public outreach to identify digital equity barriers. 

Southbridge 

Southbridge wants to ensure its residents, specifically aging and youth populations, have proper digital resources and broadband services to connect in today’s digital society. This effort also supports Southbridge’s current municipal fiber assessment and prepares the town to apply for the Municipal Fiber Grant to build a townwide network infrastructure. 

Swansea 

To address digital literacy issues and affordable internet access, Swansea will distribute online and print surveys and host community workshops for residential input on improving digital equity. By 2025, the Swansea Free Public Library aims to provide a space where residents can familiarize themselves with emerging technologies. 

Taunton 

Taunton will create solutions to issues such as affordability, connectivity, device access and digital literacy for its underserved populations, specifically low-income residents, minority residents, immigrants, older adults, youth and those who use Languages Other Than English (LOTE). Taunton will host a public meeting and share multilingual surveys (online and print) to assess residents’ needs.  

Townsend 

Only 2,000 out of the nearly 9,000 Townsend residents have local broadband connections. The town will create a plan to bridge this gap, develop pathways to affordable home broadband and offer Wi-Fi in public spaces. Townsend will distribute surveys and host a public workshop to ensure the plan reflects the needs of all residents, especially underserved populations. 

Westfield 

Westfield will identify barriers to accessing broadband services, particularly in its downtown areas, and the cost of services underserved residents face, especially low and moderate-income individuals. The city will also implement surveys to gather representative data from residents to ensure they digitally thrive. 

Woburn 

Woburn acknowledges that not all residents have equal access to its strong digital infrastructure. They will identify these barriers and analyze the impact limited digital literacy has on residents' daily lives. The city will conduct public meetings and thorough assessments to engage directly with underserved residents and create strategies to eliminate obstacles. 

Worcester County 5-Town Region (Barre, Hardwick, New Braintree, North Brookfield and West Brookfield) 

The Worcester County 5-Town Region plans to increase digital literacy for aging residents in rural communities and bolster broadband service infrastructure.  Barre, Hardwick, New Braintree, North Brookfield and West Brookfield will further improve previous and ongoing digital equity planning activities which will help these communities build digital equity into future policies.