WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced that South Carolina will receive $551,535,983.05 to deploy affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service. Right now, 119,580 homes and small businesses in South Carolina lack access to a high-speed Internet connection.
As part of the “Internet for All” initiative, a key component of President Biden’s “Investing in America” agenda, the President, Vice President, and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced how much funding from the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories will receive.
“Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, South Carolina is one step closer to ensuring that every household, including those in rural communities, has access to affordable, high-speed Internet,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “I'm grateful for our partnership with Governor McMaster to make this historic investment, which will help to close the digital divide and create new opportunities for South Carolinians to succeed in the 21st century economy.”
States, D.C., and territories (“Eligible Entities”) will use funding from the BEAD program from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to administer grant programs within their borders.
The BEAD funding will be used to deploy or upgrade broadband networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service. Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used on broadband adoption, training, and workforce development efforts, among other eligible uses.
Details related to the allocation for the states, D.C., and territories are available on InternetForAll.Gov.
Eligible Entities will receive their formal notice of allocation on June 30, 2023. Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Eligible Entities have 180 days from the date of that formal notice to submit their Initial Proposals for how they will run their grant programs. Eligible Entities can begin submitting their Initial Proposals starting July 1, 2023. Once NTIA approves an Initial Proposal, which will occur on a rolling basis, Eligible Entities will be able to access at least 20 percent of their allocated funds.
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About the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, advancing public safety communications, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth.