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Providers urge state to distribute existing digital inclusion funds to support workforce training
Summary
Can Code Communities told lawmakers digital skills are essential for nearly all jobs and urged the state to distribute previously secured federal and state digital inclusion grants faster, rather than wait for new federal funding run through ESD's reimbursement model.
Representatives from Can Code Communities told the committees that digital skills are now essential for 92% of jobs and urged the state to move existing digital inclusion funding into local programs quickly.
What advocates said: CEO Anne Marie Lanacy said the state has already secured federal and state digital inclusion funding (including a $15 million 2021 aid-to-localities appropriation and a $10 million capital set-aside from 2022) that has not flowed to community providers. She warned that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) funds routed through Empire State Development27s reimbursement structure will be slow to reach communities and recommended immediate distribution of the already-appropriated state funds to local digital inclusion programs.
Why it matters: The Department of Labor surveys cited in testimony show employers and job seekers rate digital skills as a top need for training. Advocates said quicker distribution of state-held digital inclusion dollars would accelerate device access, broadband adoption, and training, strengthening workforce pipelines across the state.
Next steps: Advocates asked legislative staff to press ESD and relevant agencies to release the previously appropriated dollars and said local providers stand ready to receive funding to scale training and device programs immediately.
