Irby Utilities’ Post

Utilities….. In the future you will have to build fiber infrastructure to keep up with smart grid technologies and grid modernization. Why not see if you can get some help so your rate payers don’t have to pay it in full?

And the question is, How can Irby help you in reaching your BEAD implementation goals? If you need it, we can find it. Reach out if you need anything OSP

Today, the Colorado Broadband Office releases critical components of the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) grant program for public comment. This is an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback on the Advance Colorado Broadband BEAD Grant Program before it opens for applications later this summer. 1. The Advance-BEAD Draft Grant Program Guidelines outline Colorado’s goals and objectives for BEAD funding, the application process, scoring criteria and requirements for recipients of BEAD funds. The Advance-BEAD Draft Grant Agreement is also available for review. 2. The Advance-BEAD Draft Project Area Map shows Colorado locations eligible for BEAD funding (pending NTIA approval) and potential inclusion in BEAD project proposals. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gGyVGQwk

1. Robust challenge process? ✅ Michigan received more than 482,000 challenges during the BEAD Challenge Process. 2. Small, customizable project areas? ✅ Michigan is using a creative 1.5-mile hexagonal grid approach to defining BEAD project areas. 3. Investing in connectivity for the future? ✅ Michigan is prioritizing fiber while still recognizing that it will take all technologies to reach our goal. 4. Not taxing broadband grants? ✅ The Michigan legislature advanced a bill recently to exempt broadband grants from corporate income tax. We're excited to implement BEAD and achieve our goal of universal high-speed internet availability. Shirley Bloomfield #NTCA #internetforall https://lnkd.in/g_V7iBK4

Delve into eligible project areas, view project areas funded by previous federal grants, and easily see existing ISP footprints in potential deployment areas, all in our new interactive rural broadband service map. Explore it now:  https://lnkd.in/gCDHsUFg

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

Do you have questions about BEAD? Join our panel discussion today with state broadband directors from MO & MN. You'll have a chance to ask your questions. #BEAD #Broadband #funding

States are navigating a complex path with BEAD program approvals, mapping challenges, and the uncertain future of the ACP. Despite hurdles, the $42.5B initiative aims to bridge the digital divide. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gda47Qe8 #digitaldivide #BEADProgram

The University of Georgia is a key partner in the state’s efforts to expand broadband internet access, improving the quality of life for Georgians. The Georgia Broadband Accessibility Map, created by the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, has helped guide the state in awarding millions of dollars in grants to service providers and local governments to expand broadband service. The state is now using the map for a broadband challenge process as it prepares to deploy funding from the $1.3 billion Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. By making sure the map is as up-to-date as possible, challenges help BEAD funding go farther to make sure more Georgians have broadband access. Local governments, nonprofit organizations and internet service providers can submit challenges through April 2, when the challenge portal closes. For more information on the BEAD challenge process, go to: https://lnkd.in/g3HTEX7X To read more about UGA’s Broadband Availability Map, go here: https://t.uga.edu/9xk

The CA BEAD challenge process is about to begin. Here’s a nice colorful chart from the CPUC on the process for you visual learners! Thanks Maria! #CABEAD #BEAD #CPUC