BEAD Proposals Approved for North Dakota, Idaho, and American Samoa

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2024 – Broadband offices in North Dakota, Idaho, and American Samoa can request access to Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program funds after the latest National Telecommunications and Information Agency approvals.

As a result of the NTIA’s approvals announced Sept. 12, the two states and one territory will be able to request access to more than $750 million combined in BEAD funding to develop and extend their respective broadband Internet access capabilities.

Idaho is slated to receive $583.3 million, North Dakota $130.1 million, and American Samoa $37.6 million.

“American Samoa needs federal investment to keep up with broadband and digital improvements. Rapid and reliable access to the internet for small business and educational opportunities is vital,” said Del. Aumua Amata (R-American Samoa).

The 56 BEAD-eligible entities - including states, territories and Washington D.C. - are required to submit a detailed initial proposal to the NTIA in order to tap into the $42.45 billion budget of the federal broadband program.

According to the BEAD progress dashboard hosted by the NTIA, all eligible entities submitted their initial proposals by Dec. 27, 2023.

The approval of the proposals of North Dakota, Idaho, and American Samoa was a major step toward closing the digital divide and meeting the Biden Administration’s goal of connecting everyone in America to broadband access, NTIA said.

“I congratulate the state and territory broadband offices for developing strong proposals for how they will connect all of their residents to high-speed internet service,” said NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson.

The NTIA plans to announce the approval of further initial proposals on a rolling basis. Of the 56 BEAD-eligible localities only 12 have yet to be approved for their initial proposals.