Forest County, WI – The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) announced today that the
Forest County Broadband Committee will be one of 18 organizations that will launch the
National Digital Navigator Corps.
The grant from NDIA is part of $10 million of support from Google.org, which will go toward the
hiring of the community-based digital navigators alongside programmatic and technical support
to further develop NDIA’s digital navigator model for rural and Tribal communities. Digital
navigators at the 18 selected sub-grantee organizations, including at Forest County, will help
thousands of our local area residents to gain much-needed access to the internet, devices, and
digital skills training.
Forest County will use the $375,320 grant to hire, train, and support a digital navigator, who will
serve the community over a two-and-a-half year period. This will provide County and Tribal
residents with the opportunity to learn basic computer usage and how to connect to the internet.
For others, there is an opportunity to learn skills to be employable in the workforce.
UW-Extension authored the grant and the Forest County Broadband Committee Chair and
Forest County Supervisory Board Chair have been very supportive.
“These grants are about more than just funding. By launching the National Digital Navigator
Corps, we are extending the digital navigator model to areas of the United States lacking
resources,” said Angela Siefer, executive director of NDIA. “These digital navigators will open
doors to residents to transform their lives by engaging in online opportunities, including
education, workforce, citizen participation, and social activities.”
Seven of the grantees are Tribal-led organizations and an additional three will serve Tribal
communities with the grant. NDIA is partnering closely with AMERIND Critical Infrastructure to
engage and support Tribal members of the National Digital Navigator Corps.
The 18 National Digital Navigator Corps grantees are:
● Alaska Federation of Natives, AK (Tribal-led)
● Cayuse Native Solutions, OR (Tribal-led)
● Cherokee Nation (Tribal-led)
● Community Broadband Action Network Corp, IA
● Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc., AL
● Computer Reach, PA
● Easter Seals of Greater Houston, Inc., TX
● Forest County Broadband Committee, WI (serving Tribal communities)
● Gila River Broadcasting Corporation: Digital Connect Initiative, AZ (Tribal-led)
● Hocking Athens Perry Community Action, OH
● Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District, CA (Tribal-led)
● Lummi Indian Business Council, WA (Tribal-led)
● National Digital Equity Center, ME (serving Tribal communities)
● Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission, OH
● Pottsboro Area Public Library, TX
● Pueblo of Jemez, NM (Tribal-led)
● Shaping Our Appalachian Region, Inc., KY
● Washington State University Extension Grays Harbor County, WA (serving Tribal
communities)
About Forest County Broadband Committee: The recently formed Forest County Broadband
Committee (formerly Broadband Commission) is working to get better broadband for all in
Forest County.
About National Digital Inclusion Alliance: NDIA advances digital equity by supporting
community programs and equipping policymakers to act. Working collaboratively with more than
850 digital inclusion practitioners, NDIA advocates for broadband access, tech devices, digital
skills training, and tech support. Please see more information and join the NDIA community at
digitalinclusion.org.
About Google.org: Google.org, Google’s philanthropy, supports nonprofits that address
humanitarian issues and apply scalable, data-driven innovation to solving the world’s biggest
challenges. We accelerate their progress by connecting them with a unique blend of support
that includes funding, products, and technical expertise from Google volunteers. We engage
with these believers-turned-doers who make a significant impact on the communities they
represent, and whose work has the potential to produce meaningful change. We want a world
that works for everyone—and we believe technology and innovation can move the needle.
About AMERIND Critical Infrastructure: Located on the Pueblo of Santa Ana in New Mexico –
a federal enclave – AMERIND Critical Infrastructure (ACI) assists Tribes in planning, building,
and financing modern community broadband networks designed to bring 21st century
connectivity to their peoples. ACI is a division of AMERIND, a federally chartered and Tribal
government-owned risk management company.
What Is a Digital Navigator?: Digital navigators are trusted guides who assist community
members in internet adoption and the use of computing devices. Digital navigation services
include ongoing one-on-one assistance with affordable internet access, device acquisition,
technical skills, and application support. The digital navigator model is a holistic,
community-based, digital inclusion program established by NDIA and developed by the NDIA
community of digital inclusion practitioners. See more information and resources at
digitalinclusion.org/dn.
