Southeast TN Development District的动态

The State of New Hampshire, where I live, received $196M in BEAD (Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment) funding from the NTIA to improve broadband services. Two things about the funding award are interesting. One is that the current Governor signed into law in 2018 a bill that permitted cities and towns to form public-private partnerships to improve broadband access in unserved areas. Many towns in the southwestern Monadnock Region used the law to partner with Consolidated Communications to build fiber-optic networks that pass every street address. Before this, New Hampshire did not spend one dime to fund broadband, but now, it permits towns to bond to build broadband with a private partner. Over 20 towns approved their bonds and built last-mile fiber-optic networks, which they now own. Now, the State of New Hampshire has a large amount of federal funding to provide the remaining underserved and unserved parts of the state with good broadband service. Again, no state money is involved. The public-private partnerships were quick and efficient in getting what was needed. The BEAD funding is finally taking years to arrive. I am glad that the town I live in, Rindge, was one of the towns that put some skin in the game and got what it needed in 2020. I am also glad the state can now complete the job required to improve broadband in other towns throughout the state. https://lnkd.in/e25TzMFh #NH #NTIA #BEAD #broadbandfunding #publicprivatepartnership

The California Public Utilities Commission’s $41 million investment in broadband grants is a pivotal move toward bridging the digital divide and advancing digital equity. By funding essential “last-mile” projects across counties like Madera, Napa, and San Luis Obispo, California is equipping its communities with the connectivity needed for sustained growth, resilience, and opportunity. At DUC, we are dedicated to supporting counties and municipalities that champion project governance and build open, resilient networks. Such investments are essential not only for ensuring robust connectivity but also for driving competition, minimizing disruption, and establishing a strong foundation for sustainable economic growth and innovation. Through our ongoing collaborations with partners and stakeholders committed to digital equity and transformation, we see firsthand how enhanced connectivity fuels long-term community prosperity and well-being. #BroadbandAccess #FTTP #Broadband #ProjectGovernance #DigitalEquity #LastMileConnectivity #EconomicGrowth #DUC #CaliforniaBroadband https://lnkd.in/e4uSGQeg

CPUC is moving grant funds to counties and municipalities to fiber broadband projects throughout California. DUC is working in California to help municipalities and counties make these projects a reality. #digitalequity #FTTP #projectgovernance #digitaldivide

Oklahoma is making strides in broadband expansion with the approval of 50 new grants aimed at boosting connectivity across the state. This initiative is a great example of how targeted funding can drive critical infrastructure projects forward, especially in underserved areas. As the demand for reliable broadband continues to grow, these grants will play a crucial role in ensuring that communities are not left behind. https://lnkd.in/gmrpry2M #Connectivity #broadband

I've spoken previously about how important the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is - a once-in-a-generation $42 billion federal initiative to connect underserved areas across the United States – and that’s why I’m thrilled to see Indiana making significant strides in expanding broadband access across the state with the help of federal funding through BEAD. According to the latest from IndyStar, Indiana has secured substantial federal funds to boost state-wide broadband projects, marking a pivotal moment in their efforts to bridge the digital divide. ? At Calix, we are proud to play a crucial role in this transformation as we serve many customers in Indiana. We partner with Indiana’s local broadband service providers (BSPs) to enhance connectivity infrastructure, improve its high-speed Internet access, and provide overall innovative experiences to their subscribers. This not only improves access to essential services like healthcare, education, and business resources, but also fosters economic growth and innovation statewide. Read more about Indiana's broadband expansion efforts below. I’d love to hear how BSPs in other underserved states are utilizing the BEAD program in the comments section. #BroadbandExpansion #BEADProgram #Connectivity https://lnkd.in/eTv3m3hE

#Update on the $42.5B #BroadbandEquityAndAccessDeploymentFund (#BEAD). #NTIA has now approved 19 states'* plus DC's, Northern Mariana Islands', Puerto Rico's, and US Virgin Island's #initialproposals. Progress is underway, but the administration of BEAD is cumbersome, hindering the swift transition from planning to the actual #construction, #deployment, and #activation of #InternetForAll services in #unserved and #underserved areas. States submitted their intention to participate in the #BEADprogram on July 18, 2022, yet after two years, no deployment projects to unserved or underserved areas have received BEAD funding. There was bipartisan agreement on broadband deployment to unserved and underserved areas - including and especially rural areas. Time is ticking. We can do better. *The 19 states include: CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, NV, NH, OR, PA, RI, UT, WA, and WV. #BroadbandUSA #InternetForAll #BroadbandDrivesEconomicDevelopmentAndQualityOfLife https://lnkd.in/d3cZd7Xn

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved West Virginia’s initial BEAD program proposal, which will enable the state to request access to funding and begin implementing the program. Brad McElhinny reports for WVRC Media. ? “It’s a huge deal,” said Evan Feinman, [director of the BEAD program]. ? “There’s no two ways about it. This has been a problem that has really made economic development, has made education, has made access to healthcare, a real challenge to folks who work in urban centers in West Virginia. This is the day that we’re going to start to really solve that problem, close the digital divide and make sure we can get every West Virginian online.” #ruralbroadband #economicdevelopment #economicgrowth #HighSpeedInternet #connectivity #digitaldivide #BroadbandForAll #education #healthcare #criticalinfrastructure #WestVirginia #PCCA https://lnkd.in/eR4qMuQB

Internet access is the basis for a healthy economy and community. If your community needs help making sure everyone has access and knows how to use it, consider applying for the Dallas Fed program

New grant funding is expected to boost efforts to empower Kansans and Sunflower State communities with the digital tools and skills necessary to meaningfully benefit from high-speed Internet service. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on Wednesday announced funding pathways for Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, allowing the states access to more than $85.1 million to implement their Digital Equity Plans. Kansas is expected to receive as much as $8,229,246 to implement key digital equity initiatives.

??#FridayFeature?? This week’s BEAD updates include the news that Arizona has opened their prequalification phase and they are expected to start the Round 1 application phase next month. A highlight of Arizona’s Digital Equity Mission: Arizona is committed to bridging the digital divide by ensuring universal broadband access through infrastructure investments, affordable plans, and inclusive digital skills training. Arizona’s goal is to support seniors, tribal communities, rural residents, veterans, those with language barriers, and minority groups. The Governor, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) and the State Broadband Office (Arizona Broadband Office) are dedicated to digital inclusion, coordinating the BEAD program with the State Digital Equity Plan to achieve these goals. CCI Systems can assist you in planning and preparing your applications, ensuring that all necessary documentation and project plans are ready for submission. CCI Systems can help you every step of the way from compliance, to design, to build out, to maintaining the network post-construction. Your end-to-end solution partner for BEAD: CCI Systems - Let’s Build the Future Together! Check our BEAD Progress Tracker at: https://hubs.li/Q02Xv-qg0 #ArizonaInfrastructure #BroadbandAccess #BuildTheFutureWithUs #BEADGrants #CommunityDevelopment #TelecomPartners #FiberOptics #FiberNetwork #Infrastructure #ConnectivityMatters #DigitalTransformation