Empire State Development Announces $12 Million in New Digital Equity Grant Opportunities, Expanded Public Awareness Campaign for Affordable Broadband, and the Launch of[...]

New ConnectALL Funding Will Expand Proven Digital Inclusion Programs and Support Innovative Approaches Across New York State

Digital Equity Grant Applications Due November 10; IDEA Grant Applications Due December 8

Interactive Resource Finder Connects New Yorkers to More Than 1,000 Digital Skills, Device, Connectivity and Support Resources Statewide

Announcement Marks National Digital Inclusion Week and Builds on New York's Continued Commitment to Closing the Digital Divide

Resource Finder Available Here

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced $12 million in new funding through the ConnectALL Digital Equity Program to expand proven digital inclusion programs and support innovative approaches that help New Yorkers make full use of affordable, reliable broadband. ESD also announced the launch of the New York State Digital Equity Resource Finder open beta, an interactive map and directory that features more than 1,000 digital inclusion resources and services statewide; and new multilingual affordable broadband outreach materials available in 11 languages. These initiatives extend New York's nation-leading effort to connect New Yorkers with the skills, devices and support they need to fully participate in today's digital economy.

"Having an internet connection is only part of what it takes to succeed in today's digital world - New Yorkers also need the skills, devices and support to put that connection to work," Governor Hochul said. "These investments will help trusted organizations expand programs that are already making a difference while supporting new ideas that can reach even more New Yorkers. With our new Digital Equity Resource Finder, we are making it easier for people to find the tools and assistance available right in their own communities."

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Digital equity is about turning connectivity into opportunity. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, ConnectALL is strengthening proven programs, supporting new solutions to persistent barriers and making it easier for New Yorkers to find the resources they need. Together, these investments will help more people build the skills and confidence to take full advantage of our increasingly digital world."

Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, "Every New Yorker deserves reliable, affordable broadband and the opportunity to fully participate in our digital economy. Today, we are taking another important step toward making that a reality, especially for households that would otherwise not have access."

Applications for Digital Equity grants are due November 10, while applications for IDEA grants are due December 8. All applications must be submitted through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application portal. Full program guidelines and application materials are available at broadband.ny.gov/digital-equity-program.

National Digital Inclusion Week

The new grant opportunities coincide with National Digital Inclusion Week, October 4-10, and highlight New York as the only state maintaining a state-run Digital Equity grant program after the federal government terminated digital equity funding last year. Through ConnectALL, the State has already awarded nearly $9 million to 33 grantees, including digital equity practitioners, First Nations and State agency partners.

ConnectALL is also working with State agencies, not-for-profits and community anchor institutions to promote the NYS Affordable Broadband Act, a first-of-its-kind law requiring internet service providers to offer a low-cost subscription tier to eligible consumers. Targeted outreach, including text message campaigns to SNAP recipients statewide and multilingual video ads on DMV kiosks, has contacted more than 1 million eligible consumers about their rights under the law. Stakeholders who want to educate their constituents can order promotional literature, mailed at no charge, at https://broadband.ny.gov/consumer-resources.

Digital Equity Program

ConnectALL will make awards through two competitive Requests for Applications:

• Digital Equity Grant Request for Applications: Up to ten grants of $1 million each, totaling up to $10 million, to sustain and expand regional and statewide digital inclusion programs and services with a demonstrated record of success. Grants will run for 18 to 24 months.
• Innovations in Digital Equity and Access (IDEA) Grant Request for Applications: Up to $2 million to support novel approaches, resources or services that advance digital equity outcomes, build on prior success, and can be reproduced or expanded. Applicants may request $100,000 to $250,000 for projects lasting 12 to 18 months.

Grants made through both solicitations will support community-centered programs and services that:

• Expand digital literacy and skills
• Increase awareness and adoption of affordable broadband options
• Provide access to internet devices and technical support
• Protect online privacy and safety
• Ensure the accessibility of government resources and services

Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, Tribal governments and community anchor institutions such as libraries, schools, housing authorities, health care providers and institutions of higher education. Local governments, State agencies and local education agencies may also apply. Organizations may apply jointly as a partnership under a single lead applicant. Questions can be submitted to [email protected].

Digital Equity Resource Finder

The New York State Digital Equity Resource Finder helps New Yorkers find programs and services in their communities that support everyone's ability to use the internet. Listed resources include centers serving older adults, after-school programs, digital safety workshops, library branches with assistive technologies, and digital skills modules offered in multiple languages among others.

Users can locate nearby resources by searching an address or location, searching by organization name, filtering the map by resource type, and browsing resources as a list. The Resource Finder is in open beta, and digital equity stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback, add new resources, and request features. The Resource Finder is available at http://broadband.ny.gov/digital-equity-resource-finder.

About ConnectALL

Governor Hochul has made expanding broadband access a cornerstone of her administration's efforts to create a more equitable and affordable New York. Through the ConnectALL initiative, New York State is investing more than $1 billion to transform the state's digital infrastructure, enhance competition among providers, and ensure that every New Yorker has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. To date, ConnectALL has overseen the successful launch and implementation of several programs to advance broadband access, including:

The Municipal Infrastructure Program has funded more than $292 million to support construction of open access municipal broadband networks across the state. The program, primarily funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the American Rescue Plan's Capital Projects fund, facilitates a variety of models of municipal broadband and public-private partnerships to provide New Yorkers with affordable, high-quality service options. The Beta ConnectALL Projects Dashboard provides details on projects funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Program.

The Digital Equity Program will invest $50 million to close the digital divide in New York by providing funding to improve digital literacy and digital job readiness skills, facilitate access to affordable internet and devices, enhance digital privacy and safety, and make government services more accessible through the internet.

The Affordable Housing Connectivity Program will fund $100 million to bring new broadband infrastructure to homes in affordable and public housing, leveraging a $35 million federal investment from the U.S. Treasury Department's Capital Projects Fund. The Beta ConnectALL Projects Dashboard provides details on projects funded by the Affordable Housing Connectivity Program.

The ConnectALL Deployment Program will provide funding for internet service providers to reach unserved and underserved locations, drawing on an allocation of $644.6 million in federal funding as described in the ConnectALL Broadband Deployment Final Proposal. ConnectALL submitted its proposed awards to the U.S. Department of Commerce in September 2025; the Department approved the awards in January 2026.

The Connectivity Innovation Program advances innovation and new broadband solutions, business models, and technologies to increase private sector investment and entrepreneurship; drive equity and innovation in the broadband marketplace; and reinforce a thriving research, development, and manufacturing ecosystem to support connectivity innovation in New York.

The Regional and Local Assistance Program provides grant funding to local governments, counties, municipalities, Tribal Governments, and other government entities to plan and implement broadband or wireless deployment and digital equity projects and programs, and other efforts consistent with the ConnectALL mandate. The program provides grants or technical assistance to eligible applicants for program funding to include non-capital resources, technical assistance and planning which could include feasibility studies or digital equity research, identifying areas in need of internet service or new investments in broadband, or the development of financing for broadband facilities.

The Excelsior Broadband Network is a new statewide public broadband network. The first component of this project will be a new fiber line running the full length of the New York Thruway which will connect public broadband assets across the state and improve access to consistent high-speed internet and reliable cell phone service for communities across the state.

The Mobile Service Connectivity initiative will work with local stakeholders, state agencies, and industry to develop regional plans to expand cellular coverage across the state. The program will identify top opportunities to expand coverage and provide funding to deploy innovative, scalable solutions that can address gaps in wireless cellular coverage.

About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

Contact:

ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313