Digital Opportunity

Contact:

digitalopportunity@dhcd.virginia.gov

Digital Opportunity, according to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. Digital opportunity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services.

The Department of Housing and Community Development's Office of Broadband (DHCD) has received and been authorized to administer the State Digital Equity Act Planning Grant Program. After incorporating public comments and updating the plan, DHCD has submitted Virginia's Digital Opportunity Plan to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the administrators of the State Digital Equity Program, including the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce for consideration. The Office of Broadband held Community Input Sessions to discuss Virginia's Digital Opportunity Plan and the presentation and recordings can be found below. This page will be updated as more opportunities become available.

Virginia Affordability and Adoption Planning Grant (VAAPG) Application Process

The Virginia Broadband Affordability and Adoption Planning Grant Program has been paused until further notice. DHCD will maintain open communication with interested parties while awaiting forthcoming guidance from NTIA regarding eligible uses for BEAD non-deployment funds, which include previously allocated planning funds.

The purpose of this program is to prioritize the planning of broadband adoption in the community by conducting needs assessments, identifying broadband priorities, and developing adoption plans with implementation strategies to address and promote digital opportunity in their communities. This program’s intended goal is to provide eligible applicants an opportunity to prepare for governmental and philanthropic funding and program opportunities.

DHCD’s Office of Broadband hosted a ‘How-To-Apply’ webinar on the application process on February 20, 2025. Representatives from units of local government, tribal governments, and other interested stakeholders were encouraged to attend to learn about the grant application process. The webinar discussed an overview of the program, plan requirements, application requirements, the application process, and other important information for applicants. Both the PowerPoint presentation and a recording of the webinar are available below:

VAAPG Grantee Resources and Documents

Click Here to View the VAAPG How-To-Apply PowerPoint

Click Here to View the VAAPG How-To-Apply Webinar

Click Here to View the Application Process Handbook

If you have any questions, email the Digital Opportunity inbox at digitalopportunity@dhcd.virginia.gov.