News
Initial “Internet for All” proposal approvals for Mississippi, South Dakota, and Michigan were announced last week by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
The list of states and territories awaiting final approval for their initial Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) proposal has dwindled following initial proposal approvals for Mississippi, South Dakota, and Michigan.
In total, 17 states and territories are still awaiting final approval for the second volume of their initial BEAD proposal, according to the NTIA’s website.
As a result of the approvals, Mississippi will now be able to request access to $1.2 billion in funds allocated for the state.
Similarly, South Dakota will now be able to request access to over $207 million in broadband funds allocated for the state, and Michigan will be able to request access to $1.5 billion to deploy or upgrade high-speed internet networks, according to NTIA releases on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29.
Congressman Bennie Thompson, who represents Mississippi’s second congressional district, offered comments about what the approval means for Mississippi in the NTIA’s release.
“As the only person in the Mississippi House Congressional Delegation who voted in support of broadband being available to the last mile, I support this initial step, but I expect the final outcome to be delivered to those who need it the most,” Thompson said.
Sally Doty, Director of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM), also commented, and said the news means Mississippi is “one step closer to connecting all remaining unserved and underserved locations.”
“These are large construction projects that require a good deal of time for buildout and require careful evaluation and monitoring, but incredible progress is now being made,” Doty said, according to the NTIA’s release. “From Alligator, MS in the heart of the delta, to Woodville, MS in the extreme southwest corner of the state, and everywhere in between, reliable high-speed internet is on its way.”
Meanwhile, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said every Michigan family deserves access to high-speed internet.
She thanked the president, the vice president, and supporters of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Thanks to their efforts, Michigan secured nearly $1.6 billion from the BEAD program—the fourth highest of all states—to connect more than 200,000 homes and small businesses to high-speed internet,” Whitmer said. “I am so proud that we are getting these resources out the door so we can continue building up the essential broadband infrastructure every community needs.”
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