Municipal officials and consultants discuss capacity-building and long-term sustainability of digital inclusion efforts. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Broadband Institute)

The Massachusetts Broadband Institute has announced that funding is available for communities participating in the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program, as well as other communities working toward digital equity.

The MBI’s Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Program makes funding available to planning program participants, as well as to municipalities that are not already in the municipal planning program but that have a pre-existing digital equity plan or another document that the MBI considers sufficient.

Those communities can apply for a one-time grant of up to $100,000 to start up, mobilize and implement digital equity projects at the local level. To be considered for the funding, municipalities must complete a two-step application process by May 31.

The MBI will host a webinar about the new implementation program on Feb. 28 from 2 to 3 p.m. Registration is available online.

The MBI is also continuing to accept applications for the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program through April 12.

Several completed plans are already available online, including ones submitted by Charlton, East Bridgewater, Lynn, Peabody, Randolph and Watertown.

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