News
The latest federal approvals for Kentucky will allow the state to request access to over $1 billion of the state’s designated BEAD funds.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Kentucky is the latest state to gain federal approval for the second volume of their initial Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) proposal.
The approval allows for Kentucky to now request access to over $1 billion of the state’s designated BEAD funds. It was announced in tandem with the approval of Maine’s initial BEAD proposal.
Kentucky’s BEAD proposals, volumes 1 and 2, lay out a plan to deploy the almost $1.1 billion in federal funds the state was awarded in June 2023.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced the latest approval this week, joined by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Natalie Quillian and BEAD Director Evan Feinman.
He called the BEAD program “transformational” in his comments.
The BEAD program, outlined under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a $42.45 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S.
“It’s a chance for everybody to chase their dreams,” he said, according to an announcement from Beshar’s office. “Whether that’s applying for a new job or applying to college, getting the health care they need to feel their best, or starting a business in a rural area, but knowing they can sell their product across the country, all because they have high-speed internet.”
In the release, Beshear’s office said the award Kentucky secured for broadband is “the largest public investment in high-speed internet in the commonwealth’s history.”
The next BEAD hurdle Kentucky will have to cross comes in June 2025, when the state “must submit a final proposal to NTIA that reports which subgrantees were chosen and how the state will ensure service to all unserved and underserved locations.”
When final approvals are received, the state will be able to access unused BEAD funding, the release explained.
According to the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA), once deployment goals are met, remaining funding can be used on internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts.
Approvals to continue on a rolling basis
A June 17 release from the NTIA said the agency will continue to announce approvals of initial BEAD proposals on a rolling basis.
Last week, the NTIA approved proposals from Colorado and New Hampshire, allowing both states to gain access to BEAD funds.
As a result, New Hampshire will now be able to request access to more than $196 million in BEAD funds for broadband deployment. Colorado, conversely, a larger state in terms of geography and population, will be able to request access to $826 million.
To get content like this delivered to your inbox, subscribe to the Broadband Communities newsletter.
