More States Get NTIA Broadband Planning Grants
States are marching ahead with plans to get as much broadband money as possible through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). NTIA announced planning grant awards to many more states Thursday for broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) and digital equity programs. NTIA can and should give states a couple of more months to submit challenges to FCC maps to ensure BEAD money gets allocated properly, CCG Consulting President Doug Dawson said Thursday at the Maine Broadband Summit.
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Maine was among a dozen states to be awarded BEAD planning grants Thursday, receiving more than $5.5 million. Pennsylvania received more than $6.6 million, Virginia more than $6.2 million, South Carolina nearly $6 million, Colorado nearly $5.9 million, Kentucky and Arkansas more than $5.8 million each, West Virginia more than $5.7 million, Alaska more than $5.5 million, Washington, D.C., more than $5.4 million, and Missouri more than $2.9 million.
Governors applauded planning awards Thursday . “This $6.6 million is the beginning of a generational change waiting for Pennsylvanians,” said Gov. Tom Wolf (D). “With guidance from the Pennsylvania Broadband Authority, distribution will be carefully targeted for guaranteed progress.” Kentucky’s $5.8 million award for planning “will bring transformational change” to Kentucky, said Gov. Andy Beshear (D) Thursday. Colorado’s $5 million BEAD planning grant “builds upon our work to connect over 99% of Coloradans to affordable, high-speed broadband in the next five years,” said Gov. Jared Polis (D).
Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) and NTIA Deputy Administrator April McClain-Delaney announced Maine’s $5.5 million planning award at an event before Thursday’s state broadband event. “Maine’s responsible use of these Federal funds …. will help us ensure that everyone in Maine who wants a high-speed internet connection can get one,” Mills tweeted.
Maine is “far ahead” of most other states in preparing for deployment, Dawson told the partially virtual summit. At least a dozen states have done "almost nothing yet," he said. Among other things, Maine already had a good feel for broadband availability in the state, said Dawson. That’s important because many states have found unserved locations missing on the new FCC map, he said. “If the maps don't get a whole lot better than they were last month, there's a good chance that some states could sue about the maps.” Dawson said he sees no good reason NTIA can’t stretch the challenge deadline, which is currently Jan. 13. With only five weeks left, “they better say soon,” he said. Some states are lobbying for more time (see 2212020063).
Some states stressed the need for precise maps this week. “We want Washington to be represented accurately on the FCC map,” Washington State Broadband Office Director Mark Vasconi said in a Thursday release urging residents to participate in the FCC challenge process: "Digital equity starts with universal access to affordable internet, and the funding allocation for Washington will be defined by the accuracy of the FCC’s map.” Public Works Board Broadband Committee Chair Ed Stern said “corrections to this FCC map are essential for seeking an equitable solution to the broadband accessibility crisis.”
Mississippi’s broadband office launched a website to record internet speeds and gather data on usage and availability, the governor’s office said Wednesday. Data collected from the Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) website will be used to update the state map and challenge inaccuracies found in the federal map, it said. Gov. Tate Reeves (R) said it’s “critically important that accurate maps are produced which properly recognize existing coverage and any gaps across our state.” BEAM Director Sally Doty said her office is compiling data and working with a mapping consultant to respond to the FCC map. “We knew the initial map would not show a true picture of broadband service in Mississippi and our office is ready to engage in the challenge process so Mississippi will be fairly represented,” she said.
Also Thursday, the Treasury Department awarded Colorado and New Mexico a combined $288 million through the American Rescue Plan’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund support (see 2212010041). Colorado received $170.8 million to connect 18,000 households and businesses, and New Mexico received $117 million to connect an estimated 40,611 households and businesses. The department has awarded funding to 24 states to date, totaling more than $3.2 billion in program support. Additional awards will be announced on a rolling basis.
Wisconsin opened a $14.1 million funding round Wednesday in its USF-funded broadband expansion grant program. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission will accept applications through Feb. 22, the PSC said.