Closing the Broadband Availability Gap and Support the Development of a Five-Year Action Plan

Description

Purpose: The Purpose of This Grant Is to Support Closing the Broadband Availability Gap and Support the Development of a Five-Year Action Plan.the Proposed Project Includes the Following Planning and Pre-Deployment Activities: Research and Data Collection, Including Initial Identification of Unserved Locations and Underserved Locations Consistent with Rules, Regulations, and Processes Commission Has Established for Making Determinations in Broadband Data Maps; Providing Technical Assistance to Potential Subgrantees, Including Through Workshops and Events; Establishing, Operating, or Increasing Capacity of a Broadband Office That Oversees Broadband Programs and Broadband Deployment in an Eligible Entity; Asset Mapping Across the Eligible Entity to Catalogue Broadband Adoption, Affordability, Equity, Access and Deployment Activities Occurring Within the Eligible Entity; Conducting Surveys of Unserved, Underserved, and Underrepresented Communities to Better Understand Barriers to Adoption; and Costs Associated with Meeting the Local Coordination Requirements in Section IV.C.1.C of This Nofo Including Capacity Building at the Local and Regional Levels or Contracted Support. Expected Outcomes: The Applicant's Proposed Activities Will Inform the Creation of a Five-Year Action Plan, by Conducting Research and Data Collection, Compiling the Research and Data Collected from the Established Local Technology Planning Teams (Ltpts) Into a Comprehensive List Created from Their Workshops and Surveys and Identifying Priorities; Providing Technical Assistance Through Planned Workshops to Discuss the Ltpts Findings and Recommendations, Seeking Input from the Public on Those Recommendations, and Dedicating Time to Interact with Potential Program Applicants to Ensure a Greater Understanding of the Process and Offer Q&a Time; Increasing Office Staff Capacity and Equipment to Provide Technical Assistance Throughout the Application Process, Oversee Projects, and Process of Project Invoices; Assisting with Local Coordination and Contracted Support Through Funding to the Ltpts to Support Public Engagement and Provide Perspective on Broadband Internet Gaps, Needs, and Strategies; and Engaging with Qualified Contractors/Consultants in Developing the Five-Year Action Plan, Initial Proposal, Asset Mapping, and More Detailed Broadband Internet Mapping.intended Beneficiaries: The Intended Beneficiaries Are Unserved and Underserved Groups in the State of Florida with a Focus on Rural and Unserved Populations.subrecipient Activities: The Recipient Does Not Intend to Intend to Subaward Funds.