Tech and Innovation Center Session

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides more than $65 billion for broadband infrastructure. The bulk of these funds will be administered by state governments. With states finalizing Five-Year Action Plans for federal review, cities are preparing for these new opportunities to expand access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet service. This session will provide a deep dive into strategies cities can use to make the most of these funding opportunities: What kinds of broadband technologies and networks are eligible for funding, and what innovative approaches to future-proofing these investments are available? What data should cities invest to maximize access to and impact of broadband funds as state plans roll out? How can cities use these data to evaluate state investments? States seeking Digital Equity funds are required to develop digital equity plans. Do cities need their own digital equity plans? What opportunities exist for combining and layering multiple programs and sources of broadband funding to maximize impact? What innovative approaches to funding broadband investments for multi-family housing are available?