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Community Broadband & Digital Equity Awards

SUBMIT AN AWARD NOMINATION
Award nominations are closed for 2025

Throughout the United States, numerous exceptional leaders in government, business and the community are serving as champions of local interests and needs in broadband and technology. NATOA's Community Broadband & Digital Equity (CBDE) Awards annually recognize these efforts and achievements.

The Community Broadband Awards are announced at NATOA's annual conference and the recipients are highlighted on NATOA's website.

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

  • Community Broadband Project of the Year: A municipal project/initiative that supports reliable, scalable internet infrastructure and (as applicable) its affordability for end-users.
  • Digital Equity Project of the Year: A project/initiative that supports confident and safe adoption and use of the internet
  • Public-Private Partnership (P3) of the Year: A broadband and/or digital equity project/initiative that reflects an innovative and/or replicable public-private partnership.

   

2025 AWARD WINNERS

Community Broadband Project of the Year

The City of Virginia Beach, VA’s Regional Connectivity Ring (RCR), a high-capacity fiber-optic network with open-access infrastructure aiming to improve the availability and affordability of high-speed internet across the southside Hampton Roads region, supporting residential, commercial, and institutional users. The RCR will connect to transatlantic cable landings in Virginia Beach—providing some of the fastest internet speeds on the East Coast—and is expected to drive significant regional economic development. Construction is approximately 80% complete with full completion of the project targeted for March 31, 2026.

 

Digital Equity Project of the Year

City of San Jose, CA’s SJ Access, a digital equity initiative launched by the San Jose Public Library as an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic that evolved into a long-term strategy to promote digital inclusion. The initiative expanded public Wi-Fi, continued device lending, and launched Digital Skill Building Pathways—a multilingual, flexible learning program. In 2024, the City unified its digital equity efforts under SJ Access and now supports Tech Hubs—permanent digital empowerment spaces in trusted community centers—marking SJ Access as a comprehensive, citywide model that combines access, education, and support to help residents succeed in all areas of life.

 

Digital Equity Project of the Year

City of New Orleans, LA’s Digital Skills Classes, designed for City employees and aiming to enhance employees' proficiency in basic computer skills, internet usage, and productivity tools. The City has extended digital literacy training to the broader community through partnerships with local organizations, covering topics such as computer and equipment basics, internet fundamentals, and accessing online government resources. The City also partners with NORDC, STEM NOLA, and the New Orleans Public Library to help residents with device repair and technical support at Reconnect NOLA Community Device Repair Clinics.

 

Public-Private Partnership (P3) of the Year

Connect Beaver County Broadband, a Beaver County, PA and Michael Baker International Collaboration, a broadband expansion initiative launched in Beaver County, PA—a rural, under-resourced region historically impacted by limited internet access. Leveraging state and federal funding, the County formed public-private partnerships to deploy fiber-optic infrastructure, accelerate implementation and introduce consumer choice to drive down costs. Today, Connect Beaver County is nationally recognized as a model for rural broadband leadership, paving the way for a more inclusive and connected future across Appalachia and beyond.

 

Public-Private Partnership (P3) of the Year

Digital Inclusion Fund, a Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville and GFiber

Collaboration, supporting local nonprofits working to close the digital divide in Huntsville, Alabama. The fund invests in programs that provide digital literacy training, access to technology, and workforce development for underserved communities. As of 2025, the fund has awarded over $388,000 to 26 nonprofits, supporting 43 programs that serve a wide range of residents—including youth, seniors, and individuals experiencing homelessness. In 2025 alone, $45,000 in grants were awarded to seven organizations and continues to be a driving force for digital equity and opportunity in the Huntsville community.

 

Broadband Visionary/Legislative Achievement of the Year

ConnectALL Office in New York State’s Affordable Broadband Act, a groundbreaking New York State law aimed at expanding internet affordability for low-income households. The law requires internet service providers with more than 20,000 customers to offer two low-cost broadband plans: 25 Mbps for no more than $15/month and up to 200 Mbps for a maximum of $20/month. The legislation is expected to benefit approximately 2.7 million low-income households statewide and represents a major step toward digital equity. While the law has faced pushback from some providers, the policy remains a national model for state-level action to bridge the digital divide.

   

Who are the past recipients?

Community Broadband Project of the Year

The City and County of San Francisco’s Fiber-to-Housing (FTH) Program, seeking to deliver free, high-speed broadband to all residents of affordable and public housing in San Francisco and connecting San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents to educational, cultural, employment and health care resources available over the internet. The FTH program utilizes San Francisco’s extensive fiber optic network to reach residents in all neighborhoods of the City. By connecting affordable housing, the FTH program addresses the City’s most pressing digital equity needs. The FTH program aims to bring gigabit speed broadband internet to each unit of affordable housing that it serves. Wherever possible, FTH provides a wired connection to the unit to ensure high quality broadband. FTH also performed a pilot program serving privately owned single room occupancy (SRO) hotels in Chinatown.

Digital Equity Project of the Year

Silicon Harlem’s Project RISE and BetterB, making technology accessible and resilient. In partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Silicon Harlem launched RISE, a business recovery and resiliency program working to help New York City’s small businesses adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change through the use of innovative technologies. Silicon Harlem led this initiative in East Harlem through the deployment of a connected mesh network providing disaster-resistant wireless technology and emergency communications at no costs to local businesses. Silicon Harlem also offers a low-cost broadband option called BetterB "Better Broadband" with symmetrical 100Mbps speeds at $30 per month. In partnership with C-Better Foundation, Silicon Harlem provides workforce development, network technician curriculums, and access to devices that ensure everyone can stay connected with a focus on public housing residents, senior citizens, and those in shelters. Silicon Harlem's mission encompasses advancing digital equity through cutting-edge research, technology education, community engagement, and innovative broadband solutions. In addition, Silicon Harlem provides an Annual Hackathon, Co-Working for start-ups, providing future technologies for schools, Universities, non-profits, public housing, and people at-large.

 

Public-Private Partnership (P3) of the Year (New for 2024)

SA Digital Connects, a San Antonio and Bexar County Private-Public-Community Collaboration that generates economic opportunity in San Antonio/Bexar County by ensuring every household has access to the internet and are safe, secure and confident online, regardless of zip code. SA Digital Connects has built and shepherded deep collaboration across key government, public and private partners in San Antonio and Greater Bexar County to create the Digital Investment Plan, and has secured funding for access, infrastructure, affordability, adoption, digital skills and devices – relevant to the user’s needs.

Community Broadband Projects of the Year

The City of Fort Collins, CO Connexion Initiative

The City of Pharr, TX TeamPharr.net Initiative

 

Digital Equity Project of the Year

The City of Austin, TX Community Broadband, Technology & Digital Equity Initiative

Community Broadband Project of the Year: The City of Wilson, NC Greenlight Initiative

Digital Equity Project of the Year: The City of McAllen, TX WiFi Initiative
  • Community Broadband Project of the Year: City of Anacortes, WA -- Leverage of Water/Wastewater Utility "Pipe-in-Pipe" Fiber Program to Develop Municipal ISP
  • Digital Equity Project of the Year: City of Boston, MA -- Digital Equity & Inclusion Programs
  • COVID-19 Response Digital Equity Project of the Year - Seniors Support: Community Tech Network (CTN), Home Connect and Train-the-Trainer Program
  • COVID-19 Response Digital Equity Project of the Year - Distance Learning: Thompson School District Expansion of Pulse Municipal FTTP Network
  • Community Broadband Project of the Year: Guadalupe Valley Electric Coop
  • Digital Equity Project of the Year: Digital Charlotte
  • Community Broadband and Digital Equity Innovative Partnership: City of Huntington Beach, American Tower & Phillips Lighting – Smart Fusion Poles
    • Community Broadband Hero of the Year: Jordana Barton, Senior Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, TX
    • Community Broadband Project of the Year: Prince George County, VA Rural Fiber Broadband Public/Private Partnership
    • Digital Equity Project of the Year: Los Angeles, CA “Our Cycle LA Program”
    • Community Broadband and Digital Equity Innovative Partnership: Arlington County, VA Digital Inclusion Initiative

    This year’s awards program was generously sponsored by Mobilitie.
      • Community Broadband Hero of the Year: Danna MacKenzie, State of MN Office of Broadband Development
      • Community Broadband Project of the Year: Longmont Power & Communications, Longmont, CO
      • Community Broadband Strategic Plan of the Year: Seattle, WA “Strategic Plan for Facilitating Equitable Access to Wireless Broadband”
      • Digital Equity Project of the Year: Seattle, WA “Technology Matching Fund”
      • Community Broadband Innovative Partnership of the Year: Garrett County, MD & Declaration Networks Group, Inc.
      • Community Broadband Hero of the Year – FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel
      • Community Broadband Project of the Year – City of Ammon, Idaho
      • Community Broadband Strategic Plan of the Year – Portland, Oregon Digital Equity Action Plan (DEAP)
      • Digital Equity Project of the Year – City and County of San Francisco’s SF Connected Program
      • Community Broadband Innovative Partnership Award – Minnesota’s RS Fiber Cooperative
      • Community Broadband Visionary – Mary Beth Henry
      • Community Broadband Heroes of the Year: Jeremy Pietzold and Joe Knapp
      • Community Broadband Project of the Year: City of Ellensburg, WA
      • Community Broadband Strategic Plan of the Year: LinkNYC
      • Digital Equity Project of the Year: Digital Dojo Coding Team in Eugene, OR
      • Community Broadband Innovative Partnership of the Year: City of Westminster, MD and TING
      • Community Broadband Visionary: Charles Benton
      • Community Broadband Heroes of the Year: Senator Matt Schmit and Representative Erik Simonson
      • Community Broadband Project of the Year: Martin County, FL and Oconee FOCUS
      • Community Broadband Organization of the Year: Older Adults Technology Services (OATS)
      • Community Broadband Fiber Network of the Year: The Hartford Metro Area Network (HMAN)
      • Community Broadband Wireless Network of the Year: City of Wilmington, NC and New Hanover County
      • Community Broadband Visionary: FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler
      • Community Broadband Hero of the Year: Deb Socia, City of Boston
      • Community Broadband Project of the Year: NC Next Generation Network (NCNGN)
      • Community Broadband Organization of the Year: Network Startup Resource Center, OR
      • Community Broadband Fiber Network of the Year: Longmont, CO
      • Community Broadband Wireless Network of the Year: Terra, Alaska
      • Community Broadband Visionary: Alberto Carvalho
      • Community Broadband Hero of the Year: John Windhausen
      • Community Broadband Project of the Year: Urbana-Champaign Big Broadband (UC2B)
      • Community Broadband Organizations of the Year: Institute for Local Self Reliance and Massachusetts Broadband Institute
      • Community Broadband Fiber Projects of the Year: City of Wilson, NC and Clackamas County, OR
      • Community Broadband Wireless Network of the Year: Port Angeles, WA
      • Community Broadband Visionary: Blair Levin
      • Community Broadband Visionary of the Year: Chris Vein, CIO, City and County of San Francisco 
      • Community Broadband Hero of the Year: John L. Byrd, Harris County (TX) Sheriff’s office 
      • Community Broadband Organization of the Year: City of Monticello, MN 
      • Community Broadband Project of the Year: MI Connection 
      • Community Broadband Wireless Network of the Year: Digital Redwoods, Digital Rio Dell, and Access Humboldt 
      • Community Broadband Fiber Network of the Year: Bristol Virginia Utilities