Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Local Planning Grant Program
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Local Planning Grant enables eligible entities to opt-in to receive formula funding to participate in broadband planning activities that will inform the state’s 5-year broadband action plan which will guide the implementation of the BEAD program.
On February 7th, 2023 letters were sent out to County Executives, Administrators, and Administrative Coordinators asking for the submittal of a letter of intent by March 7th, 2023. Centergy (REDO) has been named in the letter as an eligible applicant for counties that want to work together on their local planning process. The letter of intent must declare whether the County or Tribe elects to:
- Participate in the BEAD Local Planning Grant Program collaboratively with a Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO)
- Participate in the BEAD Local Planning Grant Program collaboratively with the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (Tribes only)
- Participate in the BEAD Local Planning Grant Program independently
- Not participate in the BEAD Local Planning Grant Program
As of Tuesday, February 8th, 2023, Centergy is still unclear on the process and requirements involved in being a regional applicant. We are waiting for further guidance and direction from the Public Service Commission. If you are a County or Tribe in our region (Adams, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, and Wood), please check this page often in the coming weeks as we gather more information prior to the deadline to submit the letter of intent on March 7th.
It is likely that we will host a virtual meeting for our counties and tribes, once we have a clearer understanding of this program.
Please see the recording of the webinar discussing this program from Monday, February 6th, below and visit the PSC Community Broadband Planning Resources and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Local Planning Grant Program pages for more information.