State
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Lessons Learned from RDOF: Some Advice for the States as They Embark on BEAD
Today, many months after passage of the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the states are finally on the cusp of implementing National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s $40+ billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program. Some states are confidently moving ahead quickly, while others are in the early days of developing concrete plans for how they will manage this historic federal investment.
Tennessee Broadband Director Talks BEAD and Why the State Targeted 3 Counties for Capital Projects Fund Dollars
The Tennessee Economic and Community Development Office (TNECD) will begin accepting applications for $60 million in Capital Projects Fund (CPF) dollars for rural broadband deployments in September 2023. But not every county will be eligible for funding. “We wanted to look at counties that historically had very few applications for grant programs," Tennessee State Broadband Director Taylre Beaty said.
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A Checklist for Evaluating Your State's Digital Equity Vision
Your state is doing something it has never done before: not just making a plan to achieve digital equity, but thinking about how life in the state will be transformed by closing the digital divide.
Gov. Justice announces preliminary approvals for West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan, LEAD, and MBPS programs
Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) announced the preliminary approval of more than $32 million under two programs of the West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan. This announcement includes applications received under the programs Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD) and Major Broadband Project Strategies (MBPS). LEAD and MBPS projects announced through this application cycle will provide broadband connectivity to more than 6,000 targeted locations with the deployment of approximately 793 miles of new infrastructure.
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Oregon Broadband Office Requests Comment on the Draft Five-Year Action Plan
The Oregon Broadband Office has completed a draft Five-Year Action Plan and wants to hear your feedback.
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Vermont Seeks Public Comment on Draft Broadband Plans
The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) released Vermont’s Draft BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) Five-Year Action Plan and Draft BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 1 and wants your comments.
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Vermont Seeks Input on the Telecommunications Facility Siting Process in Vermont
The Vermont Department of Public Service is seeking input from the public regarding the telecommunications facilities siting process (as established under 30 V.S.A. §248a). The goal is to conduct a study that ensures that the siting process is done in a manner that is transparent, fair, and responsive to the needs of the community, while also considering the development and expansion of telecommunications infrastructure in the state.
Vermont Ups Broadband Grants, Putting Two CUDs Closer to Deployment Goals
The Vermont Community Broadband Board has approved amendments totaling approximately $20 million to increase broadband grant funding for two communications union districts (CUDs). CUDs are groups of towns in the state that work together to obtain broadband buildouts to unserved areas within the CUD. The decision to up the funding was made via vote of the VCBB on July 18, 2023. Maple Broadband will receive $2.1 million more for its buildouts and NEK Broadband will receive $17.9 million more for its buildouts.
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Communities Know Communities Best: Michigan's Digital Equity Plan
In July 2023, the Michigan High-Speed Internet (MIHI) Office released the state's draft Digital Equity Plan. The state outlines how it will work to bring broadband to its residents–and the opportunities that come with high-speed internet access.
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Biden-Harris Administration High-Speed Internet Investments Spur Made-in-America Manufacturing Boom
In Wisconsin, Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Nokia and Sanmina Corporation in Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha County, Wisconsin to highlight the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to invest in high-speed internet, boost domestic manufacturing, and create good jobs.