The Rasmuson Foundation in Anchorage, Alaska, has announced a commitment of up to $3 million in support of efforts to expand broadband across the state.

The funding will be used to support Alaskan groups preparing for a share of the federal funding aimed at closing the digital divide nationwide. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act could bring more than $2 billion to Alaska. The foundation is focused on assisting efforts to introduce broadband to communities that lack access—or meaningful access—due to prohibitive costs and lagging speeds.

“Today, people must have high-speed broadband service in order to truly be citizens of the world,” said Rasmuson Foundation president and CEO Diane Kaplan. “Quality jobs, health care, and education all require access to affordable broadband.”

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