Congrats NTIA and State Broadband Offices - List of BEAD Grant Allocations

Today’s the day! Years in the making, state broadband offices now know their allocation of America’s largest ever and possibly last major investment in broadband. Congrats to NTIA team and all the state broadband offices on this momentous occasion!

Monday, June 26, 2023, will be a landmark in the quest for universal and affordable broadband. On this day, the Biden Administration announced awards for $42.45 billion in funding under the bipartisan infrastructure law’s marquee program, the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.

In its messaging and announcements about the program, the administration is focusing on the comparison between the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Rural Electrification Act under President Franklin Roosevelt – which brought electricity to millions of low-income Americans.

As per the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – which was passed in November 2021 – all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia will receive awards. In fact, every state receives a minimum of $107 million.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will be making an announcement with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo at 11:45 a.m.

With these allocations and other Biden administration investments, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories now have what the administration says are the resources to connect every resident and small business to reliable, affordable high-speed internet by 2030.  

Some territories received small awards (a small of $27 million), with the largest state award going to Texas for $3.3 Billion. Of the states, 19 are receiving more than $1 billion in funding, and the top 10 allocations include Alabama, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

“What this announcement means for people across the country is that if you don’t have access to quality, affordable high-speed internet now – you will, thanks to President Biden and his commitment to investing in America,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. “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.”

“This is a watershed moment for the millions of people across the country who lack access to a high-speed Internet connection who will soon have this necessary service to learn, work and play,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communication and Information Alan Davidson. “States can now plan their grant programs with confidence and engage with their communities to ensure they spend this money where it is most needed.”

“Just like President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Rural Electrification Act made a historic investment in rural areas bringing electricity to nearly every home in America, President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to leaving no community behind as we connect everyone in America to high-speed internet,” said Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator.

The BEAD 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 funding can be used on broadband adoption, training, and workforce development efforts, among other eligible uses.

States, D.C., and territories will receive their formal notice of allocation on June 30, 2023. Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Eligible Entities have 180 days (approximately six months) from the date of allocation to submit their Initial Proposals for how they will run their grant programs. Eligible Entities can begin submitting their initial proposals starting July 1 thru December 27, 2023. Once NTIA approves a proposal, which will occur on a rolling basis, states and territories will be able to access at least 20 percent of their allocated funds.