Salesforce Technology Selected to Help Distribute $48B in Broadband Grants by U.S. Dept. Of Commerce

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) within the U.S. Department of Commerce selected Salesforce technology to distribute and manage $48 billion in broadband grants to states, territories, tribal and local governments. The grants will be directed to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. 

What’s the impact: The grants will fund the deployment of broadband infrastructure, creating more low-cost broadband service options for unserved and underserved areas to address digital equity and inclusion needs in communities.

Driving the news: NTIA plans to partner with eligible applicants to ensure that the funding achieves its digital equity goal of providing broadband access to the entire country. Salesforce solutions will support this initiative through a customer relationship and grants management platform that will streamline management of the program and distribution of project funds.

Applicants will have the ability to log into the NTIA portal and use a guided workflow to fill out a grant application for one of five broadband grant programs: the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program; the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program; and three Digital Equity Act Programs. Applicants can also use the portal to further communicate with NTIA.

The Salesforce perspective: Dave Rey, President, Global Public Sector, said of the selection:

• “NTIA’s determination to meet mission-critical goals and timelines in implementing this grants program will bring us one step closer to closing the digital divide.” 
• “One of our core values at Salesforce is Equality, and we’re proud to support a program that aims to create economic balance by providing Internet and broadband access to millions of underserved communities.”

One of our core values at Salesforce is Equality, and we’re proud to support a program that aims to create economic balance by providing Internet and broadband access to millions of underserved communities.

Dave Rey, President, Global Public Sector

More information:

• Learn why government leaders are looking to the cloud to accelerate the public sector’s digital transformation. 
• Read how Cherokee Nation tapped Salesforce to help distribute $785M in direct COVID-19 assistance to its citizens.

About Salesforce

Salesforce, the global CRM leader, empowers companies of every size and industry to digitally transform and create a 360° view of their customers. For more information about Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), visit: www.salesforce.com.