Department of Commerce announces state allocations for $42.45B in broadband funding

After months of negotiation, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration published its state allocations for $42.45 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program funding. The funding will be distributed via grants to help states and territories build out high speed broadband networks.

“What this announcement means for people across the country is that if you don’t have access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet service now—you will,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in a statement. “Whether it’s connecting people to the digital economy, manufacturing fiber-optic cable in America, or creating good paying jobs building Internet infrastructure in the states, the investments we’re announcing will increase our competitiveness and spur economic growth across the country for years to come.”

States that received more than $1 billion in funding include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Texas received the most funding, at $3.3 billion. Notably, the broadband funding will bring high speed internet to some of the most rural regions of the United States.

“What we’re doing is, as I said, not unlike what Franklin Delano Roosevelt did when he brought electricity to nearly every American home and farm in our nation,” said Pres. Joe Biden in a speech about the awards. “It’s the biggest investment in high-speed Internet ever, because for today’s economy to work for everyone, Internet access is just as important as electricity was or water or other basic services.”

A statement about the allotments notes the funding will be used to deploy or upgrade broadband networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service. Once deployment goals are met, any remaining money can be used to pursue eligible access-, adoption-, and equity-related uses.

To read the complete article, visit American City & County.