News
Aging and Technology in Seven Rural Towns: Report Released
On June 10, 2024 the Alliance in partnership with the Northern Hilltowns Consortium of Councils on Aging released a report on older adults and their experience with the internet. Full Report
Coverage
Massachusetts Advocacy for ACP
On Feb. 20 and 21, the Alliance along with coalition partners and allies across the state initiated press conferences to urge Congress to extend funding for ACP through the end of 2024.
Feb. 20 at Lynn Public Library: Sen. Markey convened advocates including Alliance director Kathy Bisbee, and allies from Mass Law Reform Institute, Tech Goes Home and the City of Boston Digital Equity Team.
Feb. 21 at Way Finders in Springfield: Way Finders and the Alliance convened a press conference with residents of the Springfield and Holyoke Digital Equity Coalition, and representatives from Sen. Markey, Sen Warren., Rep. McGovern, and Rep. Neal offices. We were joined by allies and partners - Springfield Partners for Community Action, Mass Law Reform Institute, and Mass Broadband Institute. Learn more
Alliance Receives $5.1 Million to Advance Digital Equity in Western Mass.
On April 27, 2023, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) announced a $5.1 million Regional Partnership grant to the Alliance to implement a range of services in the four counties of western Mass - Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire. The services will focus on four MBI program areas - Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment assistance, digital skills training, connectivity for homeless, housing unstable and recently relocated people, and expanding wifi access in community settings. The grant was received by Baystate Health, serving as the backbone institution on behalf of the Alliance. Implementation will begin in late summer 2023. MBI Press Announcement
Alliance Awarded FCC Affordability Connectivity Grant
In March 2023, the Alliance received a federal FCC ACP Outreach grant to further develop ACP outreach and enrollment assistance services in the four counties. This grant will expand the enrollment assistance and education capacity for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) throughout Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties. Funding will be distributed to community based partners and will build additional support at Baystate Health to support the Alliance's ACP work. This grant builds upon a pilot project funded in 2022-23 by Comcast's Project Up .
Alliance Receives Comcast ProjectUp Grant to Assist with ACP Enrollment
[Nov. 2022] The ProjectUp grant will provide funds to support five community organizations to assist residents enroll into the Affordable Connectivity Program. The organizations are Community Action of Pioneer Valley, Springfield Partners for Community Action, New North Citizens' Council, Center for New Americans, and Viability.
