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Northeast Kingdom nonprofit reports 15 households helped by digital navigation program, seeks $12M federal grant to scale
Summary
Northeast Kingdom Community Action told the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee its digital navigation program has helped about 15 households in its first year, with device donations from Comcast, a cost-sharing arrangement with NEK Broadband, and an application for a $12 million NTIA grant to expand services.
Stacy Winkerson, director of economic and community-based services at Northeast Kingdom Community Action, told the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee on Feb. 20 that the organization’s digital navigation program has connected roughly 15 households to affordable internet service and devices in its first year.
Winkerson said the Affordable Connectivity Program initially reduced participating households’ monthly bills by about $30–$35 and helped provide discounts on devices. When federal ACP funds were exhausted earlier than anticipated, Northeast Kingdom Community Action partnered with the local communications union district, referred to in testimony as NEK Broadband/NEK CV Fiber, to continue the work.
The program pairs one-on-one digital “navigators” with participants to provide hands-on help for tasks such as starting a laptop, using applications, and signing up for benefits portals. Winkerson said Comcast donated 50 laptops to the effort. “The Affordable Connectivity Program got folks connected to internet through a $35 reduction…
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