Department of Commerce

The Department of Commerce released its Equity Action Plan for ensuring its programming and policies reach a larger and more diverse audience. In addition to the Department’s Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, the Equity Action Plan outlines how Commerce will use its programs and tools to:

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will invest billions of dollars in rural communities across the country. Supporting Americans living in rural areas remains a top priority for the Biden Administration, and the law delivers on the President’s promises to work toward delivering affordable, high-speed internet, safe roads and bridges, modern wastewater systems, clean drinking water, reliable and affordable electricity, and good-paying jobs in every rural community.

The Department of Commerce has a number of programs that provide support to rural communities across the country in expanding rural broadband and supporting rural environments and climate resilience. Thanks to President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Department of Commerce has made historic investments in rural communities through a host of new and existing programs.

 The Department of Commerce released its fiscal year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan laying out an agenda for innovation, resilience and equity to strengthen US competitiveness in the 21st century. The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will take the lead in ensuring all Americans can access affordable, future-proof broadband by implementing a nearly $50 billion investment in infrastructure, planning, digital inclusion, and workforce development. The Department's four broadband strategies included in its Strategic Plan are the following:

Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves joined Sen Roger Wicker (R-MS) in Jackson (MS) to announce the details of a $32.7 million broadband infrastructure grant coming to the state to help close the digital divide and expand access to high-speed internet. Deputy Secretary Graves and Sen Wicker shared that these grants, provided by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), will fund 10 projects across rural Mississippi that will serve 12,487 underserved households, 256 businesses, and 26 anchor institutions that include schools and libraries.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves traveled to Sunset (LA) to hear directly from Louisianans about the struggles they face due to the stark digital divide and lack of access to fast, affordable, and reliable broadband.