Shelby County refers $100,000 state broadband grant and Innovate Memphis contract to committee

The Shelby County Commission on a 9–1 vote on Jan. 27 moved a $100,000 state broadband grant and a proposed contract with Innovate Memphis back to committee for more detail on how the funds and devices would be targeted.

The grant, from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Broadband Ready Communities program, would provide $100,000 to Shelby County; Innovate Memphis proposed a contract with the county not to exceed $94,000 to manage part of the work. Hannah McCarthy of the Mayor’s Office of Innovation and Strategic Communications told commissioners the award focuses on the “devices” leg of a three-part digital equity approach — devices, connection to internet service providers and training — and that Innovate Memphis would partner with local nonprofits to…