Broadband Grant Programs
Broadband internet access service has become a necessity of daily life. Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and other government agencies have worked towards availability and affordability of broadband throughout the country. Separate from the Universal Service Fund, over the past several years the federal government, through legislation such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and direct funding, created many programs to provide funding for broadband deployment in rural areas. Some of these include the USDA’s ReConnect Program, which allocated billions in loans and grants to rural providers, and NTIA’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program, which will provide over $42 billion in grants to the states and territories.
Also, the FCC launched the Broadband Data Collection Program, which seeks to show exactly where broadband service is available. This program will aid in the proper distribution of funds for programs funded by the IIJA, including the BEAD Program. See Broadband Data Collection and Mapping for more information.
Washington, D.C. activity
05.14.24 - NTIA approves Pennsylvania initial proposal for BEAD Program | press release
05.09.24 - NTIA approves state initial proposals for BEAD Program | press release
05.01.24 - White House issues ACP fact sheet | press release
04.30.24 - NTIA releases report on accomplishments of federal broadband programs | press release04.26.24 - Legislation provides funding for ACP, secure networks program | press release
04.25.24 - NTIA approves three state initial proposals for BEAD Program | press release
04.24.24 - USDA announces Broadband Technical Assistance Program funding | press release
04.18.24 - NTIA announces applications filed on Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program funding opportunity | press release
04.09.24 - WCB announces maximum partial reimbursement amounts for May 2024 ACP benefits | public notice
03.29.24 - NTIA announces funding opportunity for digital equity plans | press release
03.19.24 - WCB announces reimbursement rate estimates for May 2024 ACP benefits | public notice
03.15.24 - Treasury approves Capital Projects Fund broadband funding for New Mexico | press release
03.12.24 - USDA announces ReConnect Program funding for tribes | press release
03.12.24 - House passes E-BRIDGE Act | press release
03.11.24 - Biden proposes fiscal year 2025 budget | proposed budget | fact sheet
03.09.24 - Biden signs appropriations bill | press release | H.R. 4366
03.06.24 - House passes appropriations bill | summary
03.04.24 - WCB announces April last fully funded month for ACP | public notice
03.01.24 - Treasury approves Capital Projects Fund broadband funding for Pennsylvania | press release
02.29.24 - Applications for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program funding due April 29 | FR notice
02.29.24 - FCC releases survey data on Affordable Connectivity Program | news release
02.26.24 - Application due date extended for ReConnect Program funding opportunity | FR notice
02.22.24 - NTIA issues waiver on Build America, Buy America Act requirements for BEAD Program | waiver request | FAQ
02.21.24 - USDA invests $51.7M in rural broadband, announces fifth round of ReConnect funding | press release
02.21.24 - ReConnect Program funding opportunity announced | FR notice
02.02.24 - WCB reminds ACP stakeholders of Feb. 8 enrollment freeze | public notice
02.05.24 - Order announcing guidance for ACP wind-down published in FR | FR notice
02.01.24 - FCC informs Congress of ACP freeze barring additional funding | press release
01.22.24 - Treasury approves Capital Projects Fund broadband funding for New York | press release
01.18.24 - NTIA updates BEAD dashboard with challenge information | dashboard
01.18.24 - Treasury approves Capital Projects Fund broadband funding for North Carolina | press release
01.16.24 - PRA comments on State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program information collection due Feb. 16 | FR notice
01.11.24 - WCB announces requirements, guidance for ACP wind-down | order
01.10.24 - Bicameral, bipartisan legislation introduced on ACP funding | press release
01.08.24 - Rosenworcel updates Congress on ACP funding | letters | fact sheet