This week the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), divisions of the Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, the Utah State Board of Education, and Utah Communities Connect jointly announced their efforts to help build consumer awareness about the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. The temporary benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enrollment for the program begins on May 12, 2021. Please see the attached press release for full details.

The state’s Emergency Broadband Benefit webpage was also launched.  It is a single source to assist individuals and families applying for the benefit. Information about state broadband availability, FCC federal EBB resources, as well as local participating internet service providers can all be found there.  We encourage anyone in your organization to utilize this very useful page as you help those you serve to apply.

We are soliciting your assistance to help spread the word.  Many of these households do not have online access today, so we are employing various methods of information sharing.

Attached you will find a printable or web-friendly flyer and bookmark available in English or Spanish and a social media file below promoting the benefit.  I encourage your organization to forward this email, print or post the collateral and get the word out as quickly as possible.