Governor Kotek Hosts Digital Equity Event in Coos Bay and Didn't Invite the Public

NEWS RELEASE
June 13, 2024

Media Contact:
Anca Matica, Press Secretary to Governor Kotek
Anca.Matica@Oregon.Gov

Kristin Bigler, Oregon Broadband Office
Kristin.M.Bigler@Biz.Oregon.Gov

Governor Kotek Hosts Digital Equity Event in Coos Bay

Oregon’s Digital Equity Plan was recently approved with an allocation of $9.9 million in initial federal funding to implement the Digital Equity Plan

Coos Bay, OR — Today, Governor Tina Kotek hosted a roundtable event in Coos Bay to foster dialogue around digital equity issues in Southwest Oregon and the initiatives being organized by local and state governments.

“I am committed to our state’s goal to provide all Oregonians with access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet,” Governor Kotek said. “Digital equity is a cornerstone to achieving positive social, civic, economic, and educational outcomes for our state. Today’s conversation about the innovative approaches local communities in Southwest Oregon are taking to address our digital divide is another reminder that Oregon is ready for more federal resources to implement these plans.”

“We live in an interconnected world where equitable access to digital technologies is critical,” Sami Pierson, Coos Bay Public Library Director said. “Public libraries are an integral part of our society and are a key player in bridging the digital divide. We want an Oregon where everyone has access to computers, and the Coos Bay Public Library is looking forward to continuing to work with the Oregon Broadband Office and our local partners to meet that vision.”

Roundtable participants included Business Oregon Director Sophorn Cheang and representatives from the Oregon Broadband Office, the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI), the Coos Bay Library, United Way of Southwestern Oregon, Boys & Girls Club of Southwestern Oregon, Coos Hispanic Allies, and the North Bend School District.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced that it has approved Initial Proposal Volume II under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Now that Initial Proposal Volume II (IPv2) has been approved, Oregon will receive the necessary funding allocation to administer the program and can start the subgrantee selection process. The 5-Year Action Plan, Initial Proposals Volumes I and II, and the public comments that shaped them are Oregon’s strategy to invest $689 million from BEAD funding to provide access to affordable, high-speed, reliable broadband internet to 100% of Oregonians.

For more information on the BEAD program, click here.

On March 28 of this year, the NTIA announced the acceptance of the State of Oregon’s Digital Equity Plan. Oregon will use the $9.9 million Digital Equity Capacity Grant allocation from the NTIA to implement the approved State of Oregon Digital Equity plan, which will ensure that all Oregonians have meaningful access to affordable and reliable high-speed home internet, a computing device and technical support, and the digital literacy skills necessary to fully participate in the 21st-century economy and society.