Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund: Grant program established by the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Act, recognizing that the availability of high-speed broadband services in unserved rural Alabama is important for economic development, education, health care and emergency services.

The Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund received conditional funding of up to $7.4 million in 2019. For more information consult the website or contact broadband.fund@adeca.alabama.gov or (334) 242-5290

Broadband Alabama Strategy

Alaska does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

Alaska does not currently have any broadband programs.

School Broadband Assistance Grant (BAG): Established in 2014 by the Alaska State Legislature to assist schools to reach internet download speeds of 10 Mbps. SB 74 increased the broadband requirement to 25 Mbps download speed and provided funding for schools to reach this standard through BAG.

A Blueprint for Alaska’s Broadband Future Updated and Revised 2019

Michael McDonald, Territorial Planner, American Samoa Government Department of Commerce, is the Territory's broadband coordinator.

Gingerlei Porter, Senior Researcher at the University of Hawaii's Telecommunications and Social Informatics Research Program and Associate Director of the Pacific International Training Desk, is project lead for the American Samoa Territorial Broadband Strategy (ASTBS).

The American Samoa Territorial Broadband Strategy (ASTBS) launched in June 2020 in the interest of developing a strategy that will effectively leverage broadband across all industries & sectors, heighten awareness and understanding of the Territory's broadband capabilities, and address the digital divide that still exists in American Samoa. The development of the ASTBS is funded by a grant awarded to DOC from the US Economic Development Administration (EDA), and will be assisted by SH3 Resource Development (SH3) and the University of Hawaii.

The American Samoa Telecommunications Authority's (ASTCA) Broadband Linking the American Samoa Territory (BLAST) project set out to replace American Samoa's legacy copper infrastructure with a fiber-optic network linking the Territory's islands.

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The Arizona Commerce Authority “coordinates broadband development activities in partnership with state and local government activities in partnership with state and local government stakeholders and the private sector to streamline regulatory hurdles and maximizes strategic broadband funding for Arizona.” More information can be found on the Arizona Commerce Authority’s website.

Arizona Broadband for Education Initiative: Utilizing E-Rate, Arizona has taken $11M in State Matching Funds to fund $135M in fiber infrastructure projects in rural areas of the state for Schools and Libraries.

The Arizona Commerce Authority currently offers a $3M broadband oriented grant with components for construction and planning. More information can be found on Arizona Commerce Authority’s website.

Arizona Statewide Broadband Strategic Plan

Arkansas State Broadband Office

Arkansas Rural Connect (ARC): Program targeting unserved and underserved communities in Arkansas to close the digital divide. $25 million in broadband grants will be distributed.

Through a fund transfer in 2019, the state set aside $5.7 million for broadband deployment. Combining that with $19.3 million in CARES Act funds, Arkansas will distribute $25 million for broadband deployment grants.

Arkansas State Broadband Plan

Arkansas Broadband Manager’s Report 

California Public Utilities Commission

The California Public Utilities Commission has the California Advanced Services Fund, which includes funding for broadband deployment and adoption grants. Additionally, the California Teleconnect Fund, which offers discounts on broadband service for schools, libraries, and certain non-governmental organizations

The California Advanced Services Fund offers $350 million in funding for broadband deployment and adoption grants.

California Broadband for All Action Plan

Colorado Broadband Office (CBO): Located in the Governor’s Office of Information Technology, leads a statewide effort to expand broadband coverage and quality for all Coloradans.

Broadband Fund: Program through which the Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Broadband Deployment Board provides grants to deploy broadband service in unserved areas of the state.

High Cost Support Mechanism (HCSM): Money is allocated to the Broadband Fund from the HCSM. Nearly $2.4 million was made available for the inaugural Broadband Fund grant cycle.

Contact: Brian Martin, brian.martin@state.co.us, 303-894-7597

Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant (EIAF): Infrastructure grants distributed by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to local governments, regional planning, and middle-mile and community anchor institution (CAI) projects through its energy and mineral impact fund. As of July 2016, the program had awarded approximately $18 million.  In early 2019, DOLA committed an additional $25 million over the next five years.

Contact: Greg Winkler, greg.winkler@state.co.us, 970-668-6160

Colorado’s broadband plan was developed in partnership by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and the Colorado Broadband Office.

Regional broadband plans have been completed in all 12 of DOLA’s non-urban planning regions.

The Connecticut Office of State Broadband (OSB) within the state’s Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) serves as Connecticut’s broadband office.

A Broadband Policy Coordinator was created as part of the Governor’s Rapid Deployment Working Group to address COVID-19 related broadband access issues, maintain the state broadband website, and serve on the Connecticut Commission of Educational Technology.

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Connecticut's State “plan” is set forth in the statute of the Office of Consumer Counsel

Delaware Department of Technology and Information

Delaware Broadband Initiative

The Delaware Broadband Fund was created to support and enhance broadband services in the state’s public schools and public libraries and for rural broadband initiatives in unserved areas of the state.

Delaware Broadband

Office of the Chief Technology Officer  serves as the District of Columbia’s broadband office.

The Connect.DC - Digital Inclusion Initiative works to bridge the digital divide by making technology easier to use, more accessible, more affordable and more relevant to the everyday lives of District residents.

The District of Columbia does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

Broadband Plan: The District of Columbia does not have a broadband plan at this time.

The Florida Office of Broadband is in the Department of Economic Opportunity and was created to develop, market, and promote internet services in the state. The office is currently creating a strategic plan for increasing the use of broadband internet services in the state.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is authorized to apply for grants and lead broadband planning and development efforts in Florida. The Office of Broadband has been directed to perform the following duties:

• Create a strategic plan to increase the use of broadband internet service in Florida;
• Build and facilitate local technology planning teams;
• Encourage public use of internet service through broadband grant programs; and
• Monitor, participate in and provide input on Federal Communications Commission proceedings that are related to the geographic availability and deployment of broadband internet in Florida.

For broadband funding opportunities, please consult the Office of Broadband.

Florida is currently in the process of developing a statewide broadband plan.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs

The Georgia Technology Authority manages the Georgia Broadband Mapping Program and partners with Georgia telecommunications carriers to collect broadband data on coverage and speeds across technology types.

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Georgia Broadband Plan

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) oversee broadband-related activities. In 2010, Hawaii created the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council and in 2020, DBEDT launched the Broadband Hui.

Hawaii Broadband Initiative (HBI): Launched in 2011, includes work on a Transpacific Fiber Optic Cable Landing Project to build a secure, carrier neutral, open access cable landing station for transpacific fiber, but no funding has been allocated to date.

DCCA mapping tools: The “No Internet Service” tool allows users to map their home location to report no available wireline (cable, DSL, or fiber) internet service. The “Internet Speed Map” tool allows residents to report their home wireline internet speeds to create a crowd-sourced map.

DCCA is implementing a pilot project to offer WiFi hotspots at publicly accessible government locations in underserved areas and worked with a cable franchise provider to designate locations for 100 WiFi hotspots .

In 2018 and in 2019, DCCA published reports on fixed wireline speeds in the State using data obtained from Ookla, proprietor of Speedtest.net. 

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2020 Hawaii Broadband Strategic Plan

Idaho Department of Commerce

Idaho Broadband Grant Program

Idaho Broadband Fund

Broadband Access is Imperative for Idaho

The Illinois Office of Broadband within the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity is the state’s broadband office. The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology oversees the Illinois Century Network (ICN).

Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Program: Established during the 2019 legislative session to begin to expand access to reliable, high-speed internet service statewide.

Illinois Century Network (ICN): Program within the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, providing broadband and Internet connectivity to all state agency locations and many community anchor institutions.

Illinois Connected Communities: Partnership between the Illinois Office of Broadband, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, and local philanthropy designed to engage a first-year cohort of communities through best practice curriculum, 50 hours of expert consultation, and a state grant of up to $15,000.  

The Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Program was appropriated $400 million during the 2019 legislative session.

Connect Illinois: Broadband Strategic Plan

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs administers the Next Level Connections Broadband Program on behalf of the offices of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and Governor Eric Holcomb.

The Indiana Office of Broadband Opportunities was established to optimize expansion efforts by coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies and other stakeholders to identify needs and eliminate roadblocks related to broadband deployment and increase digital literacy across the state.

Next Level Connections Broadband Program: OCRA-administered grant program for the deployment of last-mile broadband infrastructure to provide eligible broadband service to end users, including households, businesses, and community anchor institutions, across Indiana. The first round of awarded total approximately $28.4 million in state funds and the second application round awarded $51 million.

Broadband Readiness Planning grants: OCRA-administered grants to communities through the Community Development Block Grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Governor Holcomb allocated $100 million for the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program to bring reliable broadband services to unserved areas of Indiana.  The Office of Community and Rural Affairs utilizes the requirements defined in Indiana statute for Broadband Grants for Rural Areas as the structure of the program. The program allows eligible broadband providers to apply for up to $5 million to expand service to unserved areas. Proposed projects must provide a minimum level of service at actual speeds of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, and applicants must provide at least 20% match of the total allowable project costs. The grants are focused on areas of the state that have the greatest need and are considered “unserved.”

In 2020, Indiana released the Indiana Statewide Broadband Strategic Plan.

The Iowa Broadband Office, part of the Office of the Chief Information Officer, was established in 2015, and manages all broadband programs.

The state of Iowa provides property tax exemptions, a fiber optic network conduit installation program and a broadband grant program. Consult the Iowa Broadband Office website for more information on these programs.  

Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program: In April 2019, the Office of the Chief Information Officer awarded $1.3 million in grants to 7 broadband expansion projects in unserved areas of the state through the Another $5 million in grant funds was appropriated by the legislature and distributed by OCIO through another round of grants later in 2019.

The recommendations issued by the Empower Rural Iowa Initiative incorporate the state’s broadband plan.

The Broadband Development Office at the Kansas Department of Commerce is responsible for promoting economic development through broadband technology, overseeing, managing and expanding programs to encourage local communities to support broadband deployment and adoption.

Under provisions of the CARES Act, two broadband grant programs were established. The infrastructure expansion grant program provides up to $50 million towards projects providing high quality broadband access to areas in need. The broadband partnership adoption grant program provides funding to offset internet subscription service costs for low-income households.

Broadband Acceleration Grant Program: 10-year, $85 million infrastructure grant program designed to improve broadband access across the state by funding projects that deploy infrastructure in areas of need. The program provides for $5 million for the first three years, followed by $10 million per year for the remaining seven years.

The broadband task force made a recommendation in a final report and received broadband funding during the most recent legislative session.

Kansas’s Guiding Broadband Principles serves as the state’s broadband plan.

Education & Workforce Development Cabinet

The Kentucky Communications Network Authority oversees the KentuckyWired project.

KentuckyWired: State-run project constructing over 3,000 miles of high-speed, high-capacity fiber optic cable in every county in Kentucky, building “middle-mile” connecting government offices, universities, community colleges, state police posts, state parks, and other government institutions, allowing Internet Service Providers to connect to the network as well.

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The State Broadband Planning Program Update 2019 outlines two phases of the future of broadband in Kentucky. 

Louisiana’s Governor’s Office and the BEL Commission coordinate broadband initiatives for the state.

Everyone in Louisiana (BEL): Louisiana is in the process of developing broadband programs under the Broadband for Everyone in Louisiana (BEL) initiative.

Louisiana does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

The Governor’s Broadband for Everyone in Louisiana Commission issued a broadband plan in 2019.

ConnectMaine oversees expanding broadband access in rural and underserved areas of the state. The ConnectMaine Authority is a board consisting of seven voting members, and the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development provides staff for the authority.

ConnectMaine grants: Community planning and infrastructure grants program for broadband projects throughout the state.

ConnectMaine is funded through a 0.25% assessment on all communications, video and internet service bills, and a $0.10 surcharge on all landline numbers, which generate approximately $1.5 million per year. The authority has awarded over $13 million in grant funding in 12 funding rounds since 2007.

Broadband Action Plan

Governor’s Office of Rural Broadband

Maryland provides grant funding for broadband infrastructure construction and expansion and federal grant application preparation.

Maryland has two grant funding programs to enable broadband expansion and a third program to assist applicants requesting federal funding.

Assistance for Broadband Expansion Pilot Projects: Provides grants of up to $200,000 to fund 50% of construction costs to extend existing broadband facilities to unserved households and neighborhoods.

Broadband Infrastructure Network Buildout Program: Provides grants of between $1 million and $3 million to fund 50% of the cost to construct new broadband networks in unserved areas. 

Federal Funding Assistance: Provides grants of up to 100% of the costs associated with preparation of a federal grant application.  Funds are provided upon submission of the grant application; grants do not have to be approved.

Task Force on Rural Internet, Broadband, Wireless and Cellular Service Report

The Commonwealth established Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) in 2008 as a division within the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to help coordinate state efforts to expand broadband to unserved and underserved areas of the Commonwealth. MBI works closely with the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development to coordinate these efforts. The Public Safety Broadband Office coordinates with the FirstNet regarding the implementation of a nationwide, high-speed, wireless data network dedicated to public safety.

MBI administers the Last Mile Program, a grant program targeting unserved municipalities and the Broadband Extension Grant Program which targets ‘partially-served’ municipalities. The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development also administers a Last Mile Infrastructure Grant Program that has expanded grants for municipal-owned broadband projects in unserved communities. Massachusetts has state broadband mapping capabilities to understand the needs of under- and unserved communities. The Commonwealth also offers the Digital Connection Initiative, which will provides tools, assistance and funding to bridge the digital divide in schools through FY2019.

Please visit program websites for more information on funding levels.

MBI’s Last Mile Program Policy serves as the state’s broadband plan.

The state of Michigan does not have an office dedicated to broadband. However, Connect Michigan, a subsidiary of Connected Nation and the Michigan Public Service Commission oversee broadband-related activities in the state.

Connect Michigan partnered with the Michigan Public Service Commission to launch a “comprehensive broadband planning and technology initiative as part of the national effort to map and expand broadband,” gathering provider data to inform statewide broadband maps, performing statewide business and residential technology assessments and working with localities on community plans through the Michigan Collaborative Broadband Committee.

Michigan Consortium of Advanced Networks: Formed in January 2018 to create a broadband roadmap for the state. The Michigan Broadband Roadmap was released in August 2018.

Connecting Michigan Communities Grant Program (CMIC)

The Michigan Broadband Roadmap was published in August 2018.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Office of Broadband Development

K-12 Connect Forward Initiative: Partnership between the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and EducationSuperHighway that works to ensure that all students in Minnesota have access to scalable infrastructure, high-speed affordable bandwidth, and ubiquitous WiFi for digital learning through technical assistance. It also works to identify bandwidth and fiber needs and E-rate eligibility across school districts.

Border to Border Broadband Development Grant Program: Funds the expansion of broadband service to areas of Minnesota that are unserved or underserved. The Minnesota legislature allocated $20 million for the program for 2019 and 2020.

The Minnesota Broadband Infrastructure Plan was published in February 2019, and last reviewed January 2020.

Mississippi does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

Mississippi does not currently have any broadband-related programs.

Mississippi utilizes Community Development Block Grants and Appalachian Regional Commission Grants for broadband.

Mississippi does not have a state broadband plan at this time.

The Broadband Development Office at the Missouri Department of Economic Development coordinates broadband initiatives for the state.

Missouri Broadband Grant Program: Established in 2018 to provide state resources that help providers, communities, counties, and regions invest in building broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of the state. The FY2020 State Budget included a $5 million dollar appropriation and funded the first awards in Spring 2020. The FY2021 State Budget did not include an appropriation.

See above

The state of Montana does not have a dedicated state broadband office. However, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development coordinates broadband initiatives.

The Montana State Library provides E-rate consulting to Montana public libraries.

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Nebraska Public Service Commission 

Nebraska Information Technology Commission

Nebraska Library Commission

University of Nebraska - Lincoln Extension

Nebraska Universal Service Fund 

Network Nebraska

Through the Nebraska Universal Service Fund, the state offers funding for expansion, improvements, construction, and connections to hospitals.

Nebraska adopted its first broadband plan in 2014 (updated in 2019).

Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation & Technology

Nevada Connect Kids Initiative

NV Education Broadband Grant: Fund is $400,000+ each year. Used to build out networks and provide better connectivity and equipment for school districts and students.

The Nevada Broadband Taskforce Report

The State of New Hampshire Director of Broadband Technology within New Hampshire’s Division of Economic Development in the Department of Business and Economic Affairs coordinates broadband initiatives for the State.

New Hampshire Broadband Mapping and Planning Program (NHBMPP): Program administered by the University of New Hampshire that seeks to understand where broadband is currently available in the state, how it can be made more widely available, and how to encourage increased levels of broadband adoption and usage.

State-Wide Interoperable Executive Committee (SIEC): Established with legislation to prepare the State of NH for the implementation of FirstNet. NTIA Grant for Organization and Planning was in 2015.

The NH School Connectivity Initiative (NHSCI)

The NH Broadband Investment and Planning Coalition Initiative (NHBIP)

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Broadband: The Connection to New Hampshire’s Future

New Jersey does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

New Jersey does not currently have any broadband programs.

New Jersey does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

New Jersey does not have a broadband plan.

The Office of Broadband is located in the New Mexico Department of Information Technology (NMDoIT). The purpose of the Office is to provide a permanent solution for planning and supporting statewide broadband and geospatial initiatives.

New Mexico Broadband Program (NMBBP): Working to define broadband availability and enhance its adoption through mapping, planning, capacity building, and technical assistance projects, including mapping approximately 500 Public WiFi Locations with ancillary information onto the New Mexico Broadband Program (NMBBP) map.

New Mexico Broadband Technical Assistance Program (NMBTAP): CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant leveraged to build a Broadband Technical Assistance Program for eligible local, tribal, and other government entities, private sector companies, and/or utility cooperatives seeking to expand broadband infrastructure.

New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NM PRC): The Rural Telecommunications Act of New Mexico provides that, each year, the NM PRC shall dedicate $5 million of the New Mexico State Rural Universal Service Fund SRUSF to their broadband program.

New Mexico Homework Gap Team (NM HGT) - Broadband for Students (BB4S): Partnership between NM Public Education Department (NM PED), the NM Department of Information Technology (NM DoIT) and others. Deployed 700 residential hotspots (Navajo - distributed), 102 Cradle Point (allocated to all tribes), fixed and mobile hotspots, and 6200 Chromebooks (allocated to all tribes and schools with large tribal) with the DoIT serving as home base for the equipment.

New Mexico State Library (NMSL) E-Rate Broadband Program: Office of Broadband shares the State’s consolidated broadband related resources with the NMSL whenever possible.  From that initiative an E-Rate Broadband Committee was established that created a report with recommendations that generated legislation to create a Broadband Library Fund.  This fund was established to provide matching funds ($1 million appropriation made), planning, and support services to libraries.

Visit the New Mexico broadband website for more information on funding levels of its programs. 

New Mexico Statewide Broadband Strategic Plan

New Mexico Statewide Digital Literacy Strategic Plan

New York State Broadband Program Office serves as the state’s single point of contact for broadband development and deployment efforts.

New NY Broadband Program: Provides New York State grant funding to support projects that deliver high-speed Internet access to unserved and underserved areas of the State.

The state funds broadband activities through its New NY Broadband Program grants (see above).

The New NY Broadband Program serves as a plan to universal broadband access across the state.

Broadband Infrastructure Office (BroadbandIO)

BIO Technical Assistance: Team of experts that assist local governments with planning initiatives; developed Community Broadband Playbook as a resource for local governments.

NC Digital Equity and Inclusion Collaborative: Established and lead a group of state leaders, agencies and non-profits addressing digital equity and digital literacy challenges.

BIO & State Library of North Carolina Partnership: A Digital Inclusion Librarian position in the State Library and a pilot program designed to equip local librarians to lead closing the digital divide in their communities.

BIO & Office of Rural Health (NC Department of Health and Human Services) Partnership, including an Appalachian Regional Commission grant-funded broadband and telehealth feasibility study. BIO was awarded an ARC Power Grant to implement a robust digital inclusion program while simultaneously increasing access to healthcare and economic opportunity for workers, vulnerable populations and disadvantaged groups in North Carolina’s ARC region of Macon, Madison and Mitchell counties.

FirstTech: Public safety and first responder communication initiative to enhance and support new technologies and network enhancement.

Research and Data Analysis: BIO leads a number of data initiatives including the compilation of Indices and the NC Broadband survey—an ongoing statewide survey with an embedded speed test, designed to better understand broadband availability, quality, and adoption in NC.

NC Student Connect: Created in the Governor’s Office to address student connectivity needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The office provides hotspots for schools and creates public WiFi “park & learn” sites in rural areas. The initiative has provided webinars and training sessions focused on professional development for remote learning and technical assistance for computer usage.

Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT): Rural broadband grant program launched in 2018. Through GREAT, the state has invested nearly $26 million in 26 Tier 1 counties, connecting more than 21,000 households, businesses and agricultural operations to high-speed internet. The state funding has been matched by more than $20 million in private investment, and the state appropriated $9 million of its CARES Act funds to the GREAT program.

BAND-NC (Building a New Digital Economy in North Carolina): Grant program and partnership between BIO and the Institute for Emerging Issues and North Carolina State University.

Connecting North Carolina

North Dakota Information Technology Department

STAGEnet: Statewide network focused on providing broadband connectivity, Internet access, and other networking services. All state agencies, colleges and universities, local government, and K-12 are required to participate in STAGEnet.

The state has also provided funding to the K-12 community to support distance education for those stakeholders that have fiscal challenges preventing adoption.

North Dakota does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

2019 North Dakota Broadband Plan

BroadbandOhio: Division of the Ohio Development Services Agency (Development), state office dedicated to enhancing broadband-related activity within the state.

Connect Ohio: Subsidiary of the non-profit Connected Nation, and another state entity focused on coordinating state-level broadband mapping initiatives.

Connect Ohio: Served as the state’s sole repository for broadband efforts from 2008 and funded through a state appropriation until June 30, 2017.

BroadbandOhio: Established in February 2020 as a division of Development.

Ohio Academic Resources Network (OARnet): Network providing connections to 10 major cities, 90 colleges and universities, numerous data centers and application service providers to support education, research and government efforts. In 2012, Ohio invested $13.1 million in upgrades to increase the capacity of the network tenfold to 100 Gbps.

Ohio Broadband Strategy: Statewide strategy, result of 2019 InnovateOhio and the Ohio Department of Transportation Request for Information to better understand how best to utilize state assets to expand broadband coverage throughout the state. Report issued in September 2019, outlined the need for a statewide broadband strategy, released in December 2019.

BroadbandOhio Connectivity Grants

The Ohio Broadband Strategy

OneNet and Oklahoma Community Anchor Network (OCAN)

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Oklahoma State Broadband Plan

The Oregon Broadband Office is the state broadband coordinator. The Oregon Broadband Advisory Council is charged with reporting to the Legislative Assembly on the affordability and accessibility of broadband technology in all areas of the state. The Department of Transportation, the Public Utility Commission, and the Office of the Chief Information Officer also engage in broadband related activities and issues.

Special Public Works Fund

Rural Broadband Capacity Program

Connecting Oregon Schools Fund

Special Public Works Fund (SPWF): “Provides funds for publicly-owned facilities that support economic and community in Oregon.” Telecommunications facilities are among the eligible facilities/projects. The purchase of land, rights of way and easements necessary for a public facility are also eligible.

Oregon Broadband Office Strategic Plan

PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED): Serves as point of contact within the commonwealth for broadband-related activities. DCED works closely with the provider network, orchestrates cross-agency collaboration and coordinates with economic development partners seeking to expand broadband infrastructure.

Unserved Broadband Deployment Program: Program that will be administered by the Commonwealth Finance Authority (CFA) in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development.

PA Universal Service Fund (USF): Indirectly supports broadband deployment for Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs) that rely on both PA USF and federal USF/CAF support, annually distributing approximately $34 million of funding support to 32 rural ILECs.

Unserved Broadband Deployment Program: Will provide grants to qualified entities for the buildout of broadband infrastructure in unserved areas of the commonwealth.

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Puerto Rico Public Service Regulatory Board

Puerto Rico has a strategic plan for broadband, but it does not currently have a comprehensive broadband program.

The FY 2020-2021 Certified Fiscal Plan allocates $400 million (“Broadband Infrastructure Fund”) to support expansion efforts in unserved and underserved areas over the course of three years. In October 2020, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority (AAFA) announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for broadband infrastructure grant administrator services. The selected fund administrator will undertake a baseline assessment of the existing state of broadband provision in Puerto Rico and establish a grant program for providers pursuant to a broadband infrastructure fund administration agreement.

Puerto Rico established a broadband plan in 2012 that was last updated in 2015. The Broadband Infrastructure Fund’s administrator will have the task of updating PR’s Broadband Plan in 2021.

Rhode Island does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

In 2016, the legislature appropriated a $15 million E-rate matching grant for WiFi capabilities in every public K-12 classroom.

In 2020, the state used nearly $500,000 of CRF funding to support broadband initiatives.

The state does not fund broadband activities directly/through state funds, aside from through Rhode Island Telecommunications Education Access (RITEAF), an E-Rate supplement program.

Final Plan of the Special Legislative Session to Study Broadband Services and Accessibility

South Carolina does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity. South Caroline Office of Regulatory Staff and SC Department of Commerce oversee broadband-related activities.

South Carolina Broadband Infrastructure Program

The Broadband Infrastructure Program is funded with CARES act funds.

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South Dakota does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

Connect SD broadband program: Public-private partnership with a goal of bringing high-speed service to all South Dakotans. Connect SD and the federal ReConnect Program dollars, funding has leveraged more than $25 million in broadband upgrades impacting 6,500 homes and almost 150 companies in the state. South Dakota legislators approved another $5 million for continued broadband development in 2020.

See above

Broadband in South Dakota

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD)

Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Grant: Offers Infrastructure grants and tax credits for service providers, digital literacy grants, and Broadband Ready Community designation.

TNECD and the Secretary of State’s office awarded grants for digital literacy classes, devices and WiFi hotspots as described in the broadband accessibility grant report.

Broadband Accessibility Grants: Originally a $30M commitment over 3 years to offset capital costs associated with servicing higher cost, unserved areas.  The FY18 budget included the promised $10M in funding which was awarded to the first round of grantees in January 2018.  The FY19 budget, however, includes an additional $5M to bring to the total FY19 investment to $15M and was awarded in March 2019. The FY20 budget included $20M and the FY21 budget includes $15M, bringing the total state grant investment to date to $60M. FY21 awards will be announced in Spring 2021. The broadband accessibility grant program report outlines how Tennessee has distributed grants.

Library Digital Literacy Grants: provides grant funding opportunities to the state’s local libraries to help residents improve their digital literacy skills and maximize the benefits of broadband.

The Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act lays out a plan using multiple avenues to address broadband gaps in Tennessee including funding, deregulation and education. The state also produced several studies related to broadband access and adoption that are available at Tennessee Broadband site.

Texas does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.  Connected Texas, a subsidiary of Connected Nation, coordinates state-level broadband initiatives.

Governor’s Broadband Development Council (GBDC): Established in 2019 by the 86th Legislative Session to study and identify ways to provide internet access to underserved areas of Texas.

Texas does not have a dedicated state broadband office. Connected Texas, a subsidiary of the non-profit Connected Nation, coordinates state-level broadband initiatives.

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There will be legislation this upcoming session deciding whether Texas will create and implement a state broadband plan. The Governor’s Broadband Development Council report outlines recommendations including a state broadband plan, a broadband office and state broadband funding program to incentivize deployment in underserved areas.

Utah does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity. However, the Office of Rural Development (ORD), within the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, oversees broadband-related activities.

The state supports the Utah Broadband Advisory Council which meets regularly to network and collaborate regarding broadband adoption and deployment in the state. Council members include legislators and representatives from state and local government, healthcare, education, libraries, public safety, economic development, tribal entities, broadband providers, and digital inclusion alliance members.

Utah Broadband Outreach

Utah Education and Telehealth Network

Utah Communities Connect – Digital Inclusion

Digital Equity Workgroup of the Governor’s Multicultural Advisory Committee

Utah does not fund state broadband grants or tax incentives directly.

Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN): Actively connects the schools, libraries, and health care industry.  UETN leverages state appropriations with other grants and E-rate discounts and coordinates with private broadband providers.

The state regulates funding through the Utah Universal Service Fund for broadband buildout and maintenance in rural areas.  The state Lifeline Program is administered and funded by the UUSF.

Utah Broadband Plan

Telecommunications and Connectivity Division, Vermont Department of Public Services

Connectivity Initiative: State program that addresses broadband development. Grants are awarded to internet service providers that agree to extend service to designated areas least likely to be served through the private sector or through federal programs. It is funded by proceeds from the Vermont Universal Service Fund,

ThinkVermont Innovation Grant Program: Designed to fund projects in areas that have been identified as crucial to the growth needs of Vermont’s small businesses.

The Department of Public Service also owns or holds license to roughly 340 route miles of open access dark fiber optic cable in Vermont. The Department is not a service provider and does not sell anything beyond the use of the dark fiber.

See above

Vermont Telecommunications Plan

Virgin Islands Next Generation Network (viNGN), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Virgin Island Public Finance Authority (PFA).

USVI does not currently have any broadband programs.

USVI does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

USVI does not have a statewide broadband plan.

The Commonwealth’s Chief Broadband Advisor and Deputy Broadband Advisor within the office of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade serve as Virginia's single point of contact and integration for broadband issues, efforts, and initiatives to increase the availability and affordability of broadband. The advisors lead Commonwealth Connect, Virginia’s comprehensive effort to achieve universal broadband access, a goal set by Governor Ralph Northam in July 2018.

The Secretary of Commerce and Trade Office coordinates the Commonwealth’s efforts to connect all regions of the Commonwealth.

The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) also receives funding from the state to accelerate Virginia’s socio-economic growth through the application and use of broadband technology.

The Broadband Advisory Council advises the Governor on policy and funding priorities to expedite deployment and reduce the cost of broadband access in the Commonwealth.

Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI): Funds through DHCD used to supplement construction costs by private sector broadband service providers to extend service to areas that presently are unserved. DHCD awarded $18.3 million in FY20 to 12 projects to expand access to broadband and will award the $49.7 million in FY21 to eligible applicants to provide last-mile services.

Center for Innovative Technology (CIT): Receives $1.1 million on a two-year (biennial) budget.

Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission: Receives funding from the Master Settlement Agreement through the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Fund.

Growth and Opportunity Virginia (GOVA): Funds used to support regional planning efforts that inform and encourage private sector broadband infrastructure build out. May also be used to fund middle-mile broadband infrastructure projects, including, but not limited to, fiber and conduit, that extend telecommunications networks in partnership with the private sector and focus on meeting the business needs of a community.

Commonwealth Connect

The following offices are involved in broadband efforts:

• The Statewide Broadband Office is housed within the Department of Commerce, and the Broadband Director reports through Commerce.
• The Utilities & Transportation Commission (UTC) oversees landline telephone and universal service activities.
• The Office of Privacy and Data Protection (OPDP) reports regularly on broadband deployment, disparities, and data.
• The WA Office of the State CIO (OCIO) serves as the State Point of contact for FirstNet.
• Washington State University Extension coordinates grass-roots and local government activities related to broadband.

Public Works Board: Acts as the main fiscal agent for the statewide broadband program, has authority over the Statewide Broadband Account, and administers the state’s competitive grant/loan program for broadband infrastructure, planning, and feasibility.

Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB): Offers grant and loans for broadband infrastructure, planning, and feasibility.

State Universal Service Program and associated Fund (USF): UTC-administered, provides time-limited support to rural telephone companies to replace terminating access charge revenue.

See above

Broadband in Washington 2019

West Virginia Development Office (WVDO) Office of Broadband

West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council

In 2017, West Virginia tasked the Broadband Enhancement Council with creating a statewide broadband map, a loan guarantee program, and other outreach goals.

Broadband Loan Insurance Fund (BLINS): Administered through the West Virginia Economic Development, insures the repayment of debt on capital costs related to providing broadband service to unserved or underserved areas of the state, or linking a segment of a network operator’s core network to a local network plant that serves an unserved area or an area with no more than two wireline providers.

West Virginia Broadband Plan

The Wisconsin Broadband Office oversees all broadband-related activities.

Broadband Forward! Communities: Encourages the timely and efficient issuance of permits and the resolution of related issues; and encourages local and federal agencies to coordinate activities relating to the application, approval, and issuance of permits for broadband network projects.

Telecommuter Forward! Certification Program: Certifies political subdivisions that adopt a resolution stating their support and commitment to promote the availability of telecommuting options and provides for a single point of contact for coordinating telecommuting opportunities. 

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission administers the Broadband Expansion Grant Program through the Wisconsin Broadband Office, providing funding for the construction of broadband infrastructure in underserved areas of the state. 2019 Wisconsin Act 9 included an investment of $48 million over the biennium to expand the Broadband Expansion Grant program to reach more underserved areas of the state. The PSC will award $24 million in Broadband Expansion Grant funding in Fiscal Year 2021. An additional $5 million in CARES Act funding was allocated for applicants from the 2020 broadband expansion grants who did not receive funding. The PSC received 124 applications requesting over 62 million dollars in funding and anticipates making awards in Spring 2021.

Wisconsin Broadband Plan

Wyoming Business Council

Wyoming Business Council works to ensure every citizen and business has access to affordable, reliable, redundant and future-proof broadband. The Council meets with communities to determine needs and opportunities, work collaboratively with state broadband suppliers, and reviews applications for the Wyoming State Broadband Grant Fund. The Council also coordinates a broadband mapping program, encourages coordination and collaboration among state and federal agencies, promotes and provides technical assist in identifying funding opportunities and forming Public/Private Partnerships, and works to remove barriers and providing opportunities (e.g., ROW issues).

Wyoming Broadband Development Grant Application: Designed to address the need for reliable and affordable Internet to all Wyomingites and to provide reliable Internet infrastructure that enables businesses to compete and serve their customers. Unserved areas are eligible to apply for funding provided they meet grant requirements.

Broadband Enhancement Plan