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Call to action : all Louisiana Internet Service Providers Louisiana continues to be the first state to achieve various BEAD programmatic benchmarks. We have seen this first place finish many times, from NTIA acceptance of the state’s Volume 1 proposal, to volume 2, to the beginning/end of the challenge process, and finally NTIA’s certification of said challenge process. The State of Louisiana is set to receive $1.355B from the NTIA BEAD program to close the digital divide in Louisiana.  There are still a few days left to Pre-Qualify for the Connect LA Gumbo 2.0 sub grantee process. If you have not already begun the process of pre-qualifying, the time is now! You cannot afford to remain on the sidelines during this period of unprecedented funding, so put your cleats on and get in the game! You owe it to yourself and your subscribers. Protect your territory or risk competitors using grant $’s to build next to you. The Connect LA team desires to make the BEAD sub grantee application process as seamless as possible. I think of the pre-qualification process as an exercise in document collection and submission.  Assembling documents highlighting ISP administrative, financial, organizational, and technical capabilities now will save valuable time later as ISPs begin to submit applications for Gumbo 2.0 funding to build to project areas.  The pre-qualification window began July 1, 2024 and will conclude July 14, 2024 at 11:59 PM CST. Following the close of the pre-qualification period, the Connect LA team will begin the review process, and reach out to interested parties if further clarification is needed. The review process will last up to 30 days and conclude by August 14, 2024, after which interested parties will be notified if they have met the required criteria to participate in the program. It is imperative that all interested providers complete the pre-qualification process to participate in the GUMBO 2.0 program. Without pre-qualification status, interested providers will be unable to apply for GUMBO 2.0 grant funds. Read about Gumbo 2.0 pre-qualification here: https://lnkd.in/gKZB49PN View the Pre-qualification webinar here: https://lnkd.in/gxQzG-zK

Calling all Tulsa Fiber Aficionados! OSUIT Workforce and Economic Development is offering a FREE Fiber Optics Summer Camp for Tulsa High School students (July 22-25 or July 29-Aug. 2). This program will teach the basics of fiber technology and provide a head start toward well-paying, in-demand careers including fiber technician, fiber splicer and network engineer. Some of these jobs can be started directly after graduating from high school. For more details go to: https://lnkd.in/gk-kPtqg We applaud OSU IT as they continue leading the charge to help Oklahoma meet its broadband workforce needs!

I am proud to announce that Nevada is the FIRST state to receive funding to implement our Digital Equity Plan through the $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. We wouldn't be here without all the hard work from the OSIT team: Jessica Parker, MBA, PMP® Isla (Eye-la) Leilani Young Ansara Martino and our partners at NTIA Jack Conroy Angela Thi Bennett For those in the DE community, this award means NTIA will launch the $1.25 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program within the next 30 days. I encourage all entities in Nevada to get ready now to apply to the federal Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program when it is announced. The announcement from NTIA unlocks administrative funds needed to carry out our subgrantee selection process. OSIT will share additional information about our State grant program soon. https://lnkd.in/gCXDkXAf

All of public policy involves tradeoffs between sometimes conflicting, noble goals: accountability, equity, expediency, transparency, quality, etc. I respect the opinions of thought leaders in this article who call for a measured approach for #BEAD. It's important to get it right. But the voices often missing in these debates are the people BEAD was built to serve. Who is advocating for the consumer? The people thirsting for #broadband relief in a digital desert aren't at the table where these timing decisions are made. This is not an academic exercise--this is a problem that needs solving yesterday. Which of the BEAD program steps are mission critical, and which of them need to be bulldozed over to get shovels in the ground and homes connected? This is the question people need to be asking. We cannot lose sight of our Polaris here. The whole point is to get people connected. We must do better as a country at delivering timely solutions with these programs. #internetforall #getitdone https://lnkd.in/g3V4FQ-e

The OBO attended the ARConnect Conference in Hot Springs where Edyn Rolls spoke as a panelist on the topic of being an ISP-friendly state. "In order for broadband offices to be successful, we need ISPs to succeed, and we are here to help." Thanks to Glen E. Howie, MPA and the The Arkansas State Broadband Office for the invite and for hosting an informative event!

Speaker Announcement! Broadband Communities is thrilled that Joe Valandra, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Tribal Ready, PBC, will be speaking at Broadband Communities Summit West. Join over 1,000 senior industry leaders committed to delivering change in communities across the US. Secure your place now and SAVE $500! BOOK NOW 👉 https://lnkd.in/em3GPj2Q #BBCSummitWest #broadbandforall #telecommunications