ICYMI: Huffman Announces More Than $126.8 Million in Grants to Expand High-Speed Internet Access on Tribal Land in California

Today, Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) shared the news that The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded $126,801,773.22 in funds from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to two Tribes in California. The awards will provide funds for high-speed internet infrastructure deployment projects through the Internet for All Initiative’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program for the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council and Yurok Telecommunications Corp. These awards will connect more than 2,000 homes and businesses affording more families access to the critical connectivity necessary for learning, work, and telehealth.  

“America is rapidly moving towards digital life, with teleworking, remote learning, and telehealth visits becoming the new normal. This transition has highlighted how access to high-speed broadband isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. But there is still a staggering digital divide between rural and urban America, especially when it comes to our underserved Native communities,” said Representative Jared Huffman. “Closing the digital gap has been a priority of mine since coming to Congress and is something I pushed for in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I’m so glad to see the Yurok and Hoopa Valley Tribes get this life-changing funding to expand broadband infrastructure that is essential to economic development, education, public safety, and quality of life.”

This announcement is part of a more than $500 million package that is going to Tribal applicants this month. During a press call announcing the historic investments, Vice President Kamala Harris said, “Our administration’s vision is to connect all Native communities with the Internet and with the opportunity that comes along with access to affordable Internet — the opportunity to live healthier, happier, and more prosperous lives. And we will continue to fight every day to make that vision a reality.” Her full remarks are available here.   

“We are very thrilled to have received this grant. It will be a game changer for our community and we are very thankful for all the hard work that went into getting this funded as well as to the National Telecommunication Information Technology Administration. This is great for the Hupa People and our community!” said Joe Davis, Chairman of the Hoopa Valley Tribe. 

“This is an absolute game changer, not only for us, but for every community throughout our ancestral territory in Northern California,” said Joseph L. James, the Chairman of the Yurok Tribe. “On behalf of the Yurok Tribe, I would like to sincerely thank the Biden Administration and NTIA’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program for investing in our effort to eliminate the digital divide and resolve longstanding disparities in healthcare, economic development and education.”

“High-speed internet helps people stay connected, allows businesses to thrive, and gives communities the opportunity to stay informed,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Closing the digital divide in Indian country is a crucial step for protecting local customs and traditions while invigorating the opportunities for global engagement and growth. The announcements we’re making over the next month are an exciting step on the journey.”  

“In today’s digital age, all our communities must have access to affordable, high-speed broadband internet,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom. “These grants bolster California’s historic efforts to close the digital divide, funding infrastructure projects needed to connect more unserved homes and businesses. I thank the Biden Administration and the Yurok Tribe and Hoopa Valley Tribe for their work to advance these critical projects. California will continue our progress with partners at every level to bring high-speed broadband to communities across the state.”   

NTIA has now made a total of 63 awards totaling more than $601 million in funding through the TBCP. These awards are part of the Biden Administration’s commitment to nation-to-nation engagement and an effort to connect everyone in America, including American Indians and Natives, with affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.  

The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is a nearly $3 billion grant program and part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All Initiative. The awards announced today were part of nearly $1 billion made available in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law appropriated an additional $2 billion for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson recently announced that NTIA has added $1 billion of that funding to the existing funding opportunity, meaning the Administration can fund more of the projects that already submitted applications. An additional Notice of Funding Opportunity for the remaining funds will be announced later in 2022, and NTIA will hold consultations with Tribal leaders in September to solicit their input.  

FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Brings High-Speed, Affordable Internet to Tribal Communities - The White House

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand high-speed internet in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.  

For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed internet programs as well as quotes from the awardees, please visit InternetforAll.gov.  

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