Illinois Releases BEAD Application Guidelines, Prioritizes Hard-to-Serve Units
Illinois is the next state to release its Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program application guidelines. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration awarded Illinois $1.04 billion in federal BEAD Program funds to expand high-speed internet access to all homes and businesses. Connect Illinois Round 4 will use these funds to provide broadband to unserved and underserved locations and eligible community anchor institutions. To ensure a fair and competitive subgrantee selection process, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s Office of Broadband is helping applicants understand the procedures and requirements for successful BEAD program applications. According to the office, 175,293 locations are eligible to be connected through BEAD. The subgrantee application and selection process consists of up to three waves, starting with an initial focus on hard-to-serve Project Area Units.
Illinois Releases BEAD Application Guidelines, Prioritizes Hard-to-Serve Units