Two More States Accept BEAD Broadband Funding Applications, Another One Ready

Two more states — Michigan and Maine — are now accepting applications for funding in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) rural broadband program. In addition, Colorado plans to begin accepting applications for the state’s second round of BEAD funding on January 27. Providers have until April 9 to apply for funding in Michigan, which has a total budget of over $1.5 billion in BEAD funding. The deadline to apply for funding in Maine, which has $272 million to award, is February 28. The deadline in Colorado’s second round is February 28. Colorado was allotted $827 million in BEAD funding. BEAD funding will cover some of the costs of deploying broadband to unserved and underserved locations. The scoring criteria for the Michigan and the Maine programs include the categories required by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), such as “minimal BEAD program outlay,” fair labor practices, speed to deployment, affordability, “local support and community engagement,” and more.