Council hears details on MiFi distribution contract; program uses county ARPA funds and will deliver devices to qualifying residents

City staff described a digital-inclusion initiative to distribute MiFi devices and short-term service to qualifying residents during the work session.

Patrice Carroll, the engagement department’s digital inclusion program manager, said the program will distribute devices that recipients may keep and will provide free Internet service for a limited period. Carroll said the funds supporting the MiFi distribution come from Durham County ARPA dollars and that the city’s vendor selection followed an RFP process. Carroll said the county funds were received in late 2024 and implementation work began earlier this year.

Carroll described outreach plans that include tabling events, partnerships with community-based organizations, outreach through the city’s water bill and transit advertising. She said residents will complete a survey and submit qualifying documentation; residents unable to attach documents online may bring them to deployment events and staff will review eligibility at deployment.

Council members confirmed the program’s fiscal deadline under ARPA: Carroll said the funding remains on track to be expended by Dec. 31, 2026. The item was initially pulled from consent for questions and later included in the manager’s motion to settle the meeting agenda; the council approved the consent package at the meeting’s conclusion.

Staff said more detailed eligibility documentation is listed on the city’s program web pages and that they are coordinating outreach with participatory-budgeting tabling this fall.