Internet discounts still available, TMF grants awarded, and Digital Trailblazer award

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 09/30/2021 11:19 AM PDT
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Emergency Broadband Benefit logo

Internet discounts still available through the Emergency Broadcast Benefit program

The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is a program that has been temporarily launched to help households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. EBB provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households.

The program will end when the EBB fund runs out of money, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 public health emergency, whichever is sooner. Households are eligible if they receive Medicaid, SNAP or other public benefits, are school lunch eligible, are already in the Lifeline program, receive Pell education grants, or have lost jobs and income during the pandemic.

More eligibility information: getemergencybroadband.org/do-i-qualify.

Closing the digital divide

Supplemental funding awards more Technology Matching Fund (TMF) grants to 14 additional projects

The City of Seattle announced the recipients of 14 additional Technology Matching Fund grants. The funding for this supplemental round of grants comes from the Seattle Rescue Plan, which was adopted in June and funded an additional $330,000 for the Technology Matching Fund program. This plan prioritizes $128.4 million of federal recovery funds designated to aid communities hardest hit by the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. Read more

City of Seattle named Digital Inclusion Trailblazer

Seattle is the only city to be recognized with all six qualifiers

The City of Seattle was named as a Digital Inclusion Trailblazer once again by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). Digital Inclusion Trailblazers is a public inventory of local government initiatives promoting digital literacy and broadband access for underserved residents.  

“I’m so proud Seattle was once again recognized for our work in digital equity,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “We know that access to technology is a race and social justice issue, and the past year has further magnified the digital inequities in our community. Too many in our City still lack the technology or the technological skills they need for school or work. This work has truly been a team effort for the city, with multiple departments and community organizations working together to ensure Seattle residents have the tools and infrastructure they need to thrive in our digitally-connected world. This work remains vital as we begin to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic.” Read more

Change in leadership

Interim CTO Jim Loter

Jim Loter has been appointed interim chief technology officer (CTO). The next mayor will appoint a permanent CTO when elected. After discussions with other Executive Team members and his own thoughts on departmental structure, Loter implemented a few changes to teams and divisions during this period. This includes creating a new Project Delivery division which will work to realign project resources and direction. Several interim appointments were made including an interim chief of staff and director of collaboration and workplace technologies. 

By restructuring the placement of a few teams and the creation of a new division, he and the other Executive Team members feel this new structure will better align our organization for success during this interim period.    .