American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

Treasury to Give Over $435 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Increase Access to Affordable, High-Speed Internet
The US Department of the Treasury approved broadband projects in an additional group of three states under the American Rescue Plan’s (ARPA) Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF): Massachusetts, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Together, these states will use their funding to connect more than 91,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet. A key priority of the CPF program is to make funding available for reliable, affordable broadband infrastructure.
AT&T thinks its public-private fiber builds could be a model for Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment projects
AT&T has made a point of pursuing public-private partnership agreements in recent months, striking deals in Indiana, Kentucky, and Texas. AT&T President of Broadband Access and Deployment Jeff Luong cites the company's ahead-of-schedule project in Indiana as a template for what might be achieved through future projects funded by the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The executive noted that in addition to the publicly announced partnerships in Indiana, Kentucky, and Texas, AT&T has won a handful of other deals it hasn’t disclosed.
Nobles County Board (MN) supports rural broadband initiative with $4 million after USDA denial
The Nobles County (MN) Board of Commissioners boosted a local “Fiber to Home” broadband effort by reaffirming its $2 million commitment and kicking in another $2 million after a grant application for US Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding was denied. Mark Loosbrock, secretary and treasurer of Lismore Cooperative Telephone Company which is spearheading the project, explained that in applying for the grant, engineers and consultants used maps to assess the area already served by broadband, and given that information believed they would be given a high number of points on the grant’s scor
New Hampshire Seeks Broadband Consultant
The Broadband Office in the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs is seeking proposals from qualified applicants to provide consultation services to the state and municipalities in regard to the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF). New Hampshire has committed all of its available CPF program funds toward broadband buildout and is looking for a consultant that assures federal compliance, is a resource for NH communities, and helps the agency with other tasks as noted in the RFP Scope of Work. Anticipated Contract Start Date: Jan. 1, 2023
$34.6 million investment in ASU to help create reliable internet access and training for the region
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors recently voted unanimously to provide Arizona State University (ASU) and its collaborators $34.6 million through 2026 to advance broadband, community support, equipment, and training across Maricopa County, which includes the metro Phoenix area. The funding makes ASU home to the largest university-led digital equity initiative in the country. ASU Enterprise Technology, Sun Corridor Network and t

Sens Warner, Moran Introduce Legislation to Prevent Taxation of Broadband Grants
Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Jerry Moran (R-KS)—joined by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)—introduced the Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act (BGTTA).

Alabama Governor Ivey Awards $82.45 Million for Improved Access to Broadband through Alabama Middle-Mile Network
Governor Kay Ivey (R-AL) awarded an $82.45 million grant to help make statewide broadband service availability a more attainable goal throughout Alabama.
North Carolina Launches $24 Million Digital Equity Grant Program
Gov Roy Cooper (D-NC) is launching North Carolina's first digital equity grant program, which will help North Carolinians afford high-speed internet, obtain digital devices, and access digital literacy resources. The multi-phased program, administered by the NC Department of Information Technology’s Office of Digital Equity and Literacy, will invest up to $24 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for collaborative digital equity projects. The program’s first phase will invest $10 million in total funding to support 10-15 state government entities to develop or expand digi
Economic Development Administration Invests $2.5 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Boost Broadband in Southwest Louisiana
The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.5 million grant to Lafayette City (LA) Parish Consolidated Government, doing business as LUS Fiber, to establish high-speed internet connectivity in support of business and job growth in Jennings (LA). This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan. This project will construct ten miles of conduit and fiber optic cable to connect the medical and business district in Jennings.
Economic Development Administration Invests $1.8 Million in Increasing Broadband Access in Waterloo, Iowa
The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.8 million grant to the city of Waterloo (IA) to expand internet connectivity for the city’s business corridor. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan. This project will construct a middle mile fiber network, supporting business growth, telemedicine connectivity, and virtual educational opportunities.