Virginia Digital Opportunity Plan
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has released the Virginia Digital Opportunity Plan for a public comment window. This public comment window will open on November 29, 2023 and will close on December 29, 2023.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has drafted the Digital Opportunity Plan as required under the State Digital Equity Program’s Notice of Funding Opportunity and supplemental guidance (DE). Upon receipt and consideration of comments to this document, the Commonwealth of Virginia will submit the Final Virginia Digital Opportunity Plan for consideration to the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA), the administrators of DE, including the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The Virginia Digital Opportunity Plan includes critical components to effectively implement DE funding, including the application process, scoring criteria, and federal requirements for recipients of DE funds. If you would like to submit a public comment on Virginia's Digital Opportunity Plan, please submit your public comment via email to digitalopportunity@dhcd.virginia.gov.
The Office of Broadband will host two virtual input sessions on the Digital Opportunity Plan. These dates and registration link can be found below.
Digital Opportunity Input Sessions:
December 13th, 2023: 10am-12pm. Click Here to Register.
December 19th, 2023: 1pm-3pm. Click Here to Register.
Regional Digital Opportunity Plans
Program Purpose
DHCD is partnering with the Department of Social Services, the Virginia Community Action Partnership, and Community Action Agencies to develop Regional Digital Opportunity Plans. Across nine regions, Community Action Agencies are assessing the digital divide through stakeholder engagement, survey distribution and data analysis, and community input sessions to develop regional plans that address identified community needs related to the digital divide. The nine regions, as well as the lead Community Action Agency for each regional plan, are listed in the map.
Digital Opportunity Case Study Pilot Program
Program Purpose
The intent of this program is to bring organizations working to close the digital divide into the state’s planning process. The objective of this grant opportunity is to identify best practices of initiatives/efforts that are addressing the digital divide in communities throughout Virginia. DHCD will provide grant funding to the organizations operating these programs, with the deliverable of a case study highlighting key findings, which DHCD will incorporate into the Commonwealth Digital Opportunity Plan.
How to Apply
Eligible organizations to participate in this program are listed under the "Eligibility" tab on this page. Groups interested in applying should review the Program Guidelines, which are also under the "Resources" tab on this page. Applications will be accepted and evaluated by DHCD on a rolling basis, until all available funds are committed. Interested organizations are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to begin development of their case study if selected. This page will be updated when all available funds are committed.
