NTIA has approved the full Initial Proposals of Wyoming (Vol. 1, Vol. 2), and New York (Vol. 1, Vol. 2) for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The BEAD program requires applicants to submit an Initial Proposal specifying how they will use the funding to deliver high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved areas in their jurisdiction. The approval allows each state to begin implementing their plans and to have access to a portion of their allocated funding. Wyoming will now have access to more than $347 million, and New York will now have access to more than $664 million in grant funding for broadband deployment. Once deployment goals are met, remaining funding may be used for other eligible uses such as training and workforce development.
Each state will have one year to submit a Final Proposal detailing the outcome of the subgrantee process and the state’s continued plans to ensure service to unserved and underserved areas. NTIA has now approved the full initial proposals of 31 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia.
