Oregon

The state of Oregon has opened its application window for broadband service providers and other entities applying for grants under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. The program is being administered in the state by the Oregon Broadband Office. Oregon has $689 million to award for eligible projects, defined as qualifying last-mile broadband infrastructure to unserved (25/3 Mbps or less) and underserved (between 25/3 and 100/20 Mbps) locations. A 25% match is required of projects. The application cycle will close on May 22 at 5 p.m. 

Three states have provided updates in the long process of granting funds under the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. 

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has recommended for award more than $250 million to 24 organizations to support digital skills and inclusion projects in communities across the country. The funding will support 24 projects across 39 states and territories. Awards will be issued following budget review and processing. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced more than $313 million in funding to connect rural residents, farmers and business owners in 18 states to reliable high-speed internet.

The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has recommended for award more than $276 million to 44 Tribal entities to expand high-speed Internet access and adoption. The funding from the nearly $3 billion Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Internet for All Initiative.

The Oregon Broadband Office issued Notices of Intent to Award the second tranche of funding for the Broadband Deployment Program. In tranche two, $9,488,246 will be awarded to Home Telephone Company's project, "Nyssa Regional Link Expansion." It will provide 100/100 service at $49.99/month to 800 currently unserved locations in Malheur county.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved and recommended for award applications from Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, allowing them to request access to more than $100 million to implement their Digital Equity Plans. This funding comes from the $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, one of three Digital Equity Act grant programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The states can request access to:

The Oregon Broadband Office is excited to announce it has issued Notices of Intent to Award $132,917,084 through the Office’s Broadband Deployment Program (BDP), part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF).

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden announced nearly $173 million in funding to connect rural residents, farmers and business owners in the Dakotas and eight other states to reliable high-speed internet. Projects are being financed by the fifth round of the ReConnect Program.

TDS Telecommunications is providing free upgrades to Central Oregon customers’ internet speeds as part of a major investment in the community and its local network. Homes and businesses in Bend and throughout the region will soon have speeds up to 1 Gig—at no additional cost. Customers will have access to lightning-fast internet speeds, allowing users to more easily do remote work or school, virtual doctor appointments, video conferences, online shopping, and a wide variety of other tasks.