DEPO-KC’s Post

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development will begin accepting applications on Feb. 3, 2025, for funding from the National Telecommunications Information and Administration (NTIA) Digital Equity Capacity Grant program. https://lnkd.in/gKyXxCNB

Today marks a monumental step forward as the NTIA unveiled the allocation of roughly $811 million in funding aimed at bridging the digital divide across states, territories, and native entities. This significant investment underscores a national commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic status, has access to the digital world. This initiative is not just about improving broadband access; it's about unlocking potential, fostering innovation, and empowering communities with the tools they need to thrive in a digital age. It's an opportunity to enhance digital literacy, support educational and workforce development, and create a more inclusive digital future for all. Let's leverage this moment to amplify our efforts, collaborate across sectors, and drive meaningful change. Together, we can turn this investment into impactful actions that resonate across communities, transforming challenges into opportunities and aspirations into realities.

𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 GTA is currently in the planning phase for more than $1.3 billionin grant funds from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program https://lnkd.in/e9BH9q7h 𝑽𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒔, 𝑰𝒏𝒄. - 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝑻𝒐 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒕 𝑨 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆

𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 The Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) is assisting the Governor’s Office GTA is currently in the planning phase for more than $1.3 billionin grant funds from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

As the state's broadband build-out continues, BEA received a $5 million grant to implement its Digital Equity Plan. This ensures residents will have the education and equipment needed to internet access and usage.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has received a staggering 700+ applications, requesting over $6.5 billion for digital equity projects. This figure is over six times the initial funding available, showing a clear and urgent demand for improved digital access nationwide The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program is set to distribute nearly $1 billion in its first round to support communities in gaining the necessary tools and skills for digital participation. This effort is crucial for helping veterans, older Americans, and other underserved groups navigate and succeed in the digital landscape. Learn more details here: https://lnkd.in/gM_AZxrE #DigitalEquity #NTIA #InternetForAll #InclusiveConnectivity

If you work in Telecommunications, you’ve probably heard of #BEAD funding, a $42.45B US federal grant program aimed at expanding high-speed internet access in rural areas across all 50 states. But what exactly does this mean, and how do you prepare your application? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gzFiYYKA #BEADfunding #DigitalAccess #RuralCommunities

We are grateful that since the beginning of 2024, organizations and folks like POLITICO, ACA Connects, Grant Spellmeyer, American Enterprise Institute and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) have given ConnectLA external validation citing our best-in-the country policies that will result in the elimination of the digital divide. Our goal in creating a people-first policy in partnership with the private sector has already paying dividends before we have launched our funds from the infrastructure bill. This past Wednesday (May.7th), POLITICO stated that: "So while the infrastructure law gave $42.45 billion to the Commerce Department for state grants to expand broadband to under-served communities, until this year only Louisiana had submitted a plan that won federal approval. The department announced approvals of Kansas, Nevada and West Virginia’s plans in late April...With the exception of Louisiana, you have to say that it’s pretty difficult to figure out how there are shovels in the ground before the election,” Grant Spellmeyer, the CEO of a trade association of broadband providers known as ACA Connects, told POLITICO in March." Additionally, @NTIA's recent's Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth's report (https://lnkd.in/gHF3yq6g) to Congress highlighted Louisiana as the only state with the headline "State Broadband Office Excellence" and American Enterprise Institute cited our broadband policy efforts as the best in the country in terms of promoting a free market pro-business environment in the execution of our BEAD funds. All of the above are strongly signaling efforts to the investment community globally and we are fortunate to have Macquarie Group invest over $275 Million in private capital into Jason Hunt and Swyft Fiber (a proud Louisiana Business- https://lnkd.in/gC_hf_nm), T-Mobile and Governor Jeff Landry announced the completion of a $290 Million upgrade (https://lnkd.in/gxKyKdJn) and finally there are several other capital players (American Investment Council (AIC) taking a hard look in Louisiana that have not looked before that plan on making investments in Louisiana due to our policies. The private sector has choice and we are thrilled that they recognize our state broadband policies through these investments that they have and will make. This is exactly what happens when you combine a great team Thomas Tyler, Arielle Collins + smart execution resulting in new opportunity and investments - exactly what we envisioned when we set out on our plan to eliminate the digital divide. Choice, competition and best in class service for all Louisianians. ConnectLA

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. Here's a quick look https://lnkd.in/g2QAeUUP

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Kansas's $451 million plan to improve high-speed internet service in areas not adequately served by private industry. Tim Carpenter reports for the Kansas Reflector.   "Service-gap maps indicated the greatest need in Kansas was in rural counties, with significant demand in southeast and southwest regions of the state.   "'I really want to congratulate the state for submitting such a sophisticated and high quality program, one that shows how the state will make high-speed internet service available to everyone in every community,' said Courtney Dozier, deputy director of Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment, or BEAD, at the federal U.S. Department of Commerce." #broadband #infrastructure #funding #Fiberbroadband #ruralbroadband #ruraldevelopment #economicdevelopment #ruralamerica #kansas #criticalinfrastructure #digitaldivide #BroadbandForAll #internet #connectivity #PCCA https://lnkd.in/eDrx6guX