The Challenge of State Broadband Plans

One of the most interesting aspects of the upcoming Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program grants is that the money is going to flow through the states. In many of the states I’ve been following, it looks like the money will be distributed by passing the money through existing state broadband grant programs. Yet since the federal legislation that created the BEAD grants rules is so specific, there will be numerous ways that the BEAD grant will differ from a state grant program. The obvious solution is for states to adopt the federal rules. There is certainly a huge amount of incentive for states to make this work, since every state will get at least $100 million while most will get much more. The $42.5 billion in funding averages out to $850 million per state. Unfortunately, it’s not automatic that states can or will accept the federal grant rules since the grant rules in many states were proscribed by the state legislatures. In such cases, the legislatures will have to have to take steps to modify the state grant rules. I strongly urge internet service providers and local governments in every state to take the time to find out what your state is doing. Many states are currently inviting comments and involvement in the creation of the state broadband plan for these grants. This is the time to make sure your state is doing this the right way.

[Doug Dawson is President of CCG Consulting.]