Detroit is on the brink of a change that could reshape the future of its Black community in powerful ways. Senior Biden-Harris Administration officials, along with Detroit Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison and Michigan’s Chief Connectivity Officer, just unveiled the $1 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. This program, part of the broader Internet for All initiative, is aimed at tackling the digital divide that has left many Black families, entrepreneurs, and residents behind in Detroit. With $1.5 billion coming to Michigan, the goal is clear: making sure Detroit’s Black community has the digital tools and resources to thrive in this new age of connectivity.
For too long, the digital divide has stifled the growth and potential of underserved communities, particularly Black Detroiters. With this new infusion of federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Detroit is poised to create opportunities that will stimulate job creation, foster entrepreneurship, and open new educational avenues for families and students. This initiative is all encompassing, getting more people online while ensuring that the most underserved communities are front and center, with access to the tools and resources they need to succeed in today’s digital economy.
“Every Michigan family deserves access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I am grateful to the Biden-Harris administration and our congressional delegation for passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made the largest federal investment in internet infrastructure ever. Thanks to their efforts, Michigan secured nearly $1.6 billion from the BEAD program—the fourth highest of all states—to connect more than 200,000 homes and small businesses to high-speed internet. I am so proud that we are getting these resources out the door so we can continue building up the essential broadband infrastructure every community needs.”
Detroit’s Black community has faced persistent challenges when it comes to equitable access to broadband. This digital divide not only restricts access to information but has far-reaching impacts on education, job opportunities, and the ability to engage in the digital economy. The announcement of the $1.25 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program is a historic opportunity to close these gaps. The program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is part of a larger $42.5 billion initiative to bridge the digital divide across the United States, with Michigan receiving the fourth-highest allocation in the country.
Alan Davidson, Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), emphasized the importance of this moment for Michigan’s future. “It was a very sophisticated, very impressive plan that really shows how everybody in the state is going to get connected,” he said. Davidson’s praise came during a visit to Detroit, where he spoke alongside city officials and digital equity advocates. He also urged Detroiters to take advantage of the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, a separate $1.25 billion program aimed at addressing persistent barriers to broadband adoption such as affordability, device access, and digital literacy.
“It’s really important that we get great people taking advantage of this opportunity for funding from the federal government,” Davidson remarked, encouraging partnerships among local organizations. He noted that nonprofits, tribes, and local governments can apply for this funding, which could create lasting change for historically underserved communities in Detroit. With nearly $1 billion in competitive grant money already available, this funding represents a lifeline for Detroit’s Black community, many of whom have struggled to access the digital tools necessary for success in today’s economy.
The broader Internet for All initiative includes funding from several different programs aimed at achieving full digital equity. One of these programs, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) initiative, is set to receive $1.5 billion in Michigan alone. This funding will allow the state to roll out high-speed internet to more than 200,000 homes and businesses, many of which are in underserved Black communities across Detroit and the surrounding areas. As infrastructure is deployed and upgraded, there is also an emphasis on ensuring residents can access affordable high-speed internet. The federal government has made it clear that simply building the infrastructure isn’t enough—communities must also have access to affordable devices and the skills to use them effectively.
Applications for the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program are due by September 23, with funds expected to be awarded by the winter. Davidson emphasized the urgency of this opportunity for Detroit’s Black community, stating, “This is the time for Detroiters to step up and ensure that no one is left behind in this new digital landscape.”
In addition to infrastructure investments, partnerships with local businesses are taking shape to ensure that Detroit can benefit from domestically produced broadband equipment. Vecima Networks, in collaboration with Mara Technologies, recently announced that their first American-made optical line terminals are being produced in Holly, Michigan. This partnership is part of a larger effort to ensure that the components used in broadband networks are made in the U.S., a requirement of the BEAD program under the Build America, Buy America (BABA) initiative.
This push for domestic manufacturing is a crucial aspect of the broader digital equity agenda. As Davidson noted, “In support of our major infrastructure investments, companies like Vecima and Mara Technologies have answered the call to build the network equipment needed to connect everyone in America to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service.”
With the Biden-Harris Administration’s approval of Michigan’s BEAD proposal, the state is now moving from planning to action. Once high-speed internet is deployed across the state, the remaining funds will be used for workforce development and digital literacy programs.
The stakes are high for Detroit’s future. This moment represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the city’s digital landscape and ensure that every resident, particularly those in historically underserved Black communities, has access to the resources they need to thrive. As the digital divide narrows, Detroit is poised to become a model for how federal, state, and local collaboration can create lasting change.
Governor Whitmer captured the significance of this initiative, stating, “Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration, Michigan will not only have the infrastructure in place but the digital tools to ensure that everyone, no matter where they live or their income level, will have a fair shot in today’s digital economy.”
As federal dollars begin to flow into the city, it is clear that the digital divide is no longer an abstract concept. It’s a real, solvable issue, and Detroit is at the forefront of this transformation. With the right investments in infrastructure, digital literacy, and workforce development, Detroit can emerge as a leader in digital equity, ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to succeed in a connected world.
This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship Lab. The
Lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal.
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