Unclear goal for digital inclusion grants

Published: Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 9:12 pm

Washington State Digital Inclusion Grants Under Scrutiny for Lack of Oversight

A recent audit has revealed significant concerns regarding the Washington State Department of Commerce's handling of its Digital Navigator Program, a $92.5 million initiative aimed at promoting digital inclusion from 2022 to 2025. The program, designed to provide internet access and digital literacy training to underserved communities like seniors and low-income families, is now under fire for a lack of clear objectives and inadequate oversight.

The audit, conducted by State Auditor Pat McCarthy, found that the program's goals were poorly defined, making it difficult to assess its effectiveness. Grantees were required to submit monthly reports, but there was no requirement to verify whether they achieved their stated goals. The program's online dashboard also failed to track key metrics, such as the actual learning outcomes for the target populations.

Furthermore, the audit highlighted issues with data collection and accuracy. One grantee failed to submit any data, citing tribal data sovereignty rules, while another ceased reporting due to data security and methodology concerns. The state also did not verify the accuracy of the data that was submitted.

The audit also raised concerns about the grant selection process. The Department of Commerce lacked formal policies for choosing grant recipients, and internal documents showed that applicants were ranked based on unexplained scores. Notably, one of the selected grantees had the lowest score among the applicants.

Once grants were awarded, recipients were permitted to hire other companies with minimal oversight. This lack of control led to $500,000 being allocated to a company that later closed down following an unrelated investigation into suspected fraud.

The Digital Navigator Program was ultimately shut down this year due to state budget cuts. The audit placed blame on the two directors leading the agency between February 2019 and December 2024.

BNN's Perspective:

The findings of this audit are concerning. While the intent of the Digital Navigator Program – to bridge the digital divide – is laudable, the lack of clear goals, rigorous oversight, and accountability mechanisms raises serious questions about the program's effectiveness and the responsible use of taxpayer funds. It underscores the importance of transparent and well-defined programs to ensure public resources are used efficiently and achieve their intended outcomes.

Keywords: Digital Navigator Program, Washington State, grants, audit, digital inclusion, oversight, accountability, spending, Department of Commerce, fraud, data, low-income, seniors, internet access, digital literacy, taxpayer funds, program evaluation.

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