#1South Dakota Workforce Development Council Digital Equity May 3, 2023 SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF R SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF LABOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & REGULATION TATE OF UNDER SOUTH GOD THE PEOPLE RULE DAKOT GREAT NY 1889 SEAL 1#2South Dakota has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to expanding broadband SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF R SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF LABOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & REGULATION In the 1990's, the Connecting the Schools and Wiring the Schools Projects furthered technological advancement and has ensured public schools in South Dakota are connected to reliable internet. Governor Noem's 2019 address to the state legislature issued a challenge to bring sustainable, high-speed internet to every home and business in South Dakota Since its inception, the ConnectSD program has expanded service to over 26,000 locations. I South Dakota now has an opportunity to leverage additional Federal Funding to further broadband efforts in the State. 2#3The NTIA oversees four primary programs to bring affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet to everyone in America SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF R SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF LABOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & REGULATION The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) sets forth $65 billion investment into broadband, $48.2 billion of which will be administered by the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. BEAD DIGITAL EQUITY TRIBAL MIDDLE MILE $42.45B Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment Program A program to get all Americans online by funding partnerships between states or territories, communities, and stakeholders to build infrastructure where we need it to and increase adoption of high-speed internet. $2.75B Digital Equity Act Three programs that provide funding to promote digital inclusion and advance equity for all. They aim to ensure that all communities can access and use affordable, reliable high-speed Internet to meet their needs and improve their lives. $2.00B Tribal Connectivity Technical Amendments A program to help tribal communities expand high- speed Internet access and adoption on tribal lands. $1.00B Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure A program to expand middle mile infrastructure, to reduce the cost of connecting unserved and underserved areas. 3#4SOUTH BEAD Program will provide ~$42.45B for infrastructure planning DAKOTA and implementation BEAD Funding Pool $42.45B Objective: How can we achieve universal coverage through building infrastructure and increasing adoption? . Entities eligible to apply for this program include: All 50 States The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Other Territories: U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands The BEAD Program will help deliver: ● ● • R SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF LABOR & REGULATION Access: increases access for unserved and underserved households to ensure all Americans have access to high-quality, broadband services Affordability: supports affordability of broadband services and promotes long-term, sustainable, and affordable solutions Adoption & Equity: enables investment in digital skills training and make investments to ensure Americans can participate in economy and society 2022 2023 5-Year Action Plan Initial Proposal 2024 2025 4-Year Implementation Final Proposal 2026 4#5Digital Equity Act created three programs to promote digital equity and inclusion DE Funding Pool $2.75B Objective: How can we ensure all communities are able to participate and meaningfully use high- speed internet? The Digital Equity Act created three programs: . • . SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF R SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF LABOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & REGULATION State Planning: $60M formula funding program to develop digital equity plans State Capacity: $1.44B formula funding program to implement plans & promote digital inclusion Competitive: $1.25B to implement digital equity and inclusion activities Example eligible uses of funds: ● • Developing DE plans; states develop a plan to be eligible for state grants Implementing digital equity plans and related activities Making awards to other entities to help make digital equity plans Providing digital literacy and digital skills education Improving accessibility and inclusivity of public resources Facilitating the adoption of high-speed Internet 2022 2023 Planning App 1-year State Planning 2024 2025 2026+ State cap. app 5-Year state capacity implementation 5 Comp. app Final Proposal#6SOUTH South Dakota seeks to understand the digital equity barriers faced DAKOTA across populations as well as the impacts of various policy areas GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF R SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF LABOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & REGULATION Pillars of Digital Inclusion INTERNET ACCESS DIGITAL INCLUSION SKILLS DEVICES NTIA's Covered Populations ✓ Aging (Sixty and above) Low-income households Incarcerated individuals ✓ ✓ ✓ Individuals with disabilities ✓ Individuals with language barriers or low literacy ✓ Those belonging to racial or ethnic minorities ✓ Those residing in rural areas ✓ Veterans Policy Priorities Economic and Workforce Development Educational Outcomes 4 Health Outcomes Civic and Social Engagement Delivery of Essential services 6#7Preliminary conversations have provided the following insights regarding the impact on workforce development Why is internet important for workforce development? • Q Individual Career Growth Virtual courses creates opportunities to upskill Online job applications and remote work allow + . SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF R SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF LABOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & REGULATION Empowering Entrepreneurs Business growth is supported through e- commerce Enable business Increasing National Footprint Having a skilled workforce makes South Dakota more nationally competitive location flexibility access to a wider job market Topic #1: Are there benefits or outcomes not highlighted here that should be? Which opportunities are especially beneficial for building a strong workforce in South Dakota? 7#8Preliminary stakeholder conversations have provided the following insights regarding challenges in accessing and adopting the internet SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF R SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF LABOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & REGULATION Individuals cannot AFFORD internet subscriptions or devices. (4) Individuals cannot PHYSICALLY ACCESS high-speed internet. Individuals do not have and may not want to learn the SKILLS to use internet based programs. Individuals are APPREHENSIVE towards adopting broadband for various reasons including cybersecurity. Individuals are UNAWARE of existing support programs. Workforce Implications: Some South Dakotans will have limited participation in the workforce. Topic #2: Are there any challenges missing from this list? Which challenge(s) should be prioritized? 8#9To overcome the access and adoption challenges, South Dakota will need a suite of potential solutions SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF R SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF LABOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & REGULATION Topic #3: What are some solutions to help South Dakotans overcome these barriers? Example: Increase awareness about benefits of broadband through public service announcements. Example: Expand digital literacy programming in the State. 9#10Stay involved with broadband efforts in South Dakota SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF R SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF LABOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & REGULATION South Dakota Broadband Email Please feel free to share any additional thoughts or information by emailing the following address: [email protected] 10 10