Springfield working group finalizes digital equity plan, moves to apply for $100,000 MBI implementation grant

The Springfield City Digital Equity Working Group agreed to finalize a draft digital equity plan and pursue a $100,000 implementation grant from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), with the plan to submit a final version this week to the city administration for next steps.

The working group, meeting virtually, asked the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) project team to add a section noting recent National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) funding developments and to provide clearer implementation recommendations before the report is delivered to the mayor's office. Eric Weiss, the PVPC project lead, said the team would send a final version by Friday.

Why it matters: The report frames near-term actions the city could take to reduce Springfield’s digital divide and lays out options that could be funded by the MBI planning/implementation grant and by larger programs such as the newly announced Launchpad opportunity. Finalizing the plan is a prerequisite for applying for the MBI implementation funds and for positioning Springfield to compete for additional state or federal awards.

Meeting participants concentrated on eight priority recommendations that appear near the front of the draft report: creating a permanent digital equity…