Two States Requested Access to BEAD Funds Totaling Over $2 Billion
WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved New Mexico and Virginia’s Initial Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative.
This approval enables New Mexico and Virginia to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program—a major step towards closing the digital divide and meeting the President’s goal of connecting everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.
Today’s action allows states to request:
- New Mexico: Over $675 Million
- Virginia: Over $1.4 Billion
“Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Commerce is ensuring everyone in New Mexico, Virginia, and all across America, has access to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "Congratulations to the teams in New Mexico and Virginia. We look forward to working with you to ensure everyone in the state is connected.”
The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program authorized by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The states, territories and Washington D.C. were allocated funding to deploy or upgrade high-speed Internet 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 high-speed Internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts, among other eligible uses.
“Today, New Mexico and Virginia can move their Internet for All efforts from planning to action,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. "I congratulate the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion and the Virginia Office of Broadband for developing strong proposals for how they will connect all of their residents to high-speed Internet service.”
BEAD-eligible entities—the 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia—are required to submit for NTIA’s approval an Initial Proposal detailing how they plan to spend their BEAD allocation to deliver high-speed Internet access to all unserved and underserved locations within their borders. All states submitted their Initial Proposals by December 27, 2023.
NTIA provides updates on the status of all 56 states and territories’ Initial Proposal.
NTIA will continue to announce approval of Initial Proposals on a rolling basis.
One year from Initial Proposal approval, states must submit a Final Proposal that details, among other things, the outcome of the subgrantee selection process and how the state will ensure universal coverage.
Here’s what stakeholders are saying about the announcement:
New Mexico
“The Biden-Harris administration’s $675 million investment in New Mexico will help transform our digital infrastructure,” said Governor Lujan Grisham. “This funding empowers New Mexico to bridge the digital divide and create equal opportunities across the state, especially for our rural and tribal communities.”
“I am proud to announce a historic investment of $675 million in funding that will help move New Mexico toward 100% connectivity from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Senator Ben Ray Luján. “However, the failure to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program threatens to dilute the impact of this funding. It is imperative that we reinstate this vital program. While this funding represents significant progress toward 100% connectivity, there remains an ongoing need for next-generation technology to support rural areas, low-income communities, schools, and libraries."
Virginia
“Virginia’s historic investment in broadband infrastructure is one key ingredient which helped drive our ranking as America’s top state to do business in 2024. With the resources we are securing today, we can close the digital divide and ensure all Virginians have access to high-speed internet,” said Governor Youngkin. “Today’s announcement is a key step in our efforts to provide high-speed internet access to the remaining unserved regions of the Commonwealth ensuring all Virginians have the opportunity to prosper.”
“Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to accessing our historic $1.5 billion award and expanding high-speed internet access to more families and businesses across Virginia,” said Senator Mark Warner. “Virginia has a strong plan to get us closer to universal coverage, and this funding will help make that plan a reality. I’m proud to have authored and negotiated the law that made this possible, and I’m ready to work to make sure it’s implemented as quickly and efficiently as possible so more Virginians have access to high-speed internet.”
“Broadband is a necessity for Virginians to access telehealth, online education programs, job opportunities, and so much more. Boosting access to broadband is key to building on our economic progress, which is why I’m happy that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved the next step in Virginia’s BEAD program plan,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m glad to have helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that made this investment possible.”
“Governor Youngkin and the Commonwealth of Virginia put together a great plan under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to close the digital divide and equip rural Virginia with access to broadband,” said Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09). “After my office and I actively monitored the status of Virginia’s proposal and encouraged NTIA, Virginia moves a step closer to expanding broadband for Virginians.”
“NTIA’s approval of Virginia’s latest BEAD proposal supports our ongoing efforts to close the digital divide by expanding broadband access to all unserved locations in the Commonwealth,” said Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan. “In today’s increasingly digital world, broadband is a necessity — not a luxury. I look forward to continued collaboration with the Biden-Harris Administration to expand affordable broadband to every American.”
###
Internet for All
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed Internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.
For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet service programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov.
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.