May 25, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, By Ryan Johnston, COVID-19, Digital Divide, Emergency Broadband Benefit, Federal Policy, Treasury Department
The State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (“SLFRF”) is a $350 billion emergency fund to be used by eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to support the populations hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 10, 2021, the U.S. Department of the...
May 24, 2021 | Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, COVID-19, Digital Divide, Emergency Broadband Benefit, Federal Policy
Last week marked the beginning of enrollment for the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) Emergency Broadband Benefit. The program offers a monthly discount to offset the cost of broadband Internet subscriptions, helping those who are struggling with...
May 20, 2021 | Blog Entry, COVID-19, Digital Divide, Guest Blogger
By Haley Bailey | The digital divide has always been a huge issue, but the pandemic has managed to push it into the spotlight. For example, the International Telecommunication Union’s study, in collaboration with UNICEF, found that two-thirds of the world’s...
Apr 7, 2021 | Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, COVID-19, Federal Policy, News
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provided $3.2 billion to create the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (“EBB”). This program provides eligible households a $50 benefit ($75 on tribal lands) to purchase a broadband internet subscription. On February 25,...
Apr 5, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, By Ryan Johnston, COVID-19, Federal Policy, News
Through American Rescue Plan, Congress appropriated $7 billion for the Emergency Connectivity Fund for schools and libraries. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the agency tasked with developing rules for distributing the funds, sought public comment on its...
Mar 30, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Medvis Jackson, COVID-19, News
In 2021, the nation’s digital divide presents itself as a serious obstacle to public health and wellness. In order to ensure an effective COVID-19 vaccination roll out and the continuity of routine medical care, local governments must leverage existing federal...
Mar 25, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Ryan Johnston, COVID-19, Federal Policy, News
Even though thousands of Americans are getting vaccinated each day, the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Families who are still struggling to pay utilities, small businesses still have difficulty keeping their doors open, and students continue to distance...
Jan 25, 2021 | By Brittany-Rae Gregory, By Corian Zacher, By Ryan Johnston, COVID-19, Federal Policy, NCC News, News, Press Releases
View a pdf of this press release here. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brittany-Rae Gregory brittany-rae@nextcenturycities.org NEXT CENTURY CITIES SUBMITS COMMENTS ON THE FCC’s REQUEST FOR RESPONSE TO THE EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM Washington D.C....
Jan 22, 2021 | Blog Entry, COVID-19, Getting Started, NCC News, News, Resources
On January 21, 2021, Next Century Cities’ Policy Counsel for Local & State Initiatives, Corian Zacher, and Policy Associate, Lukas Pietrzak, led members and community advocates in a discussion about the basics of launching and resourcing broadband initiatives....
Jan 19, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, COVID-19, News
Cleveland, Ohio – The Seat of Cuyahoga County On January 15, 2021, Next Century Cities submitted a response to Cuyahoga County’s request for information (RFI). Since social distancing precautions related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began, counties,...
Jan 15, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Brittany-Rae Gregory, By Corian Zacher, By Francella Ochillo, COVID-19, Federal Policy, NCC News, News, Press Releases
View a pdf of this press release here. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brittany-Rae Gregory brittany-rae@nextcenturycities.org NEXT CENTURY CITIES RESPONDS TO CUYAHOGA COUNTY’S RFI TO EXPAND AFFORDABLE, HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND SERVICES FOR OHIO RESIDENTS ...
Jan 13, 2021 | Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, COVID-19, Federal Policy, Lifeline, NCC News, News
What is it? How Will it Work? Why Should Your Community Weigh-In on This Proceeding? The goal of the Emergency Broadband Benefit program is to connect low-income households with affordable broadband service and a requisite device during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a...
