BISMARCK, ND—In a significant move to enhance statewide internet connectivity, North Dakota’s State Broadband Program Office (SBPO) has initiated the application process for subgrantees eligible for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding. This initiative aims to ensure that all North Dakotans have access to high-speed internet services.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has certified the results of North Dakota’s BEAD Challenge Process, a prerequisite for all participating states. With this certification, subgrantees in eligible locations are now invited to apply for funding. The SBPO has established a comprehensive subgrantee selection process to allocate BEAD grant funds effectively. This process focuses on extending coverage to areas classified as ‘unserved’—those with internet speeds below 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload—and ‘underserved’—areas with speeds under 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.
Brian D. Newby, North Dakota State Broadband Program Director, expressed enthusiasm about this advancement, stating, “We are excited to move to this next phase of the BEAD grants process. We continue to move closer to achieving the objective that all North Dakotans have home access to high-speed internet, and thanks to the great work of the state’s internet service providers, we are almost there already.”
The SBPO plans to conduct multiple application rounds, repeating the process until all remaining eligible locations receive project bids. The state has one year from the NTIA’s approval of the Initial Proposal on September 6 to allocate funds and document determinations in its Final Proposal.
Prospective subgrantees can determine their eligibility and access the application materials through the North Dakota WebGrants portal. This development marks a pivotal step in North Dakota’s commitment to bridging the digital divide, ensuring that high-speed internet access becomes a universal service for all residents.
For more information on the BEAD program and application process, visit the North Dakota Information Technology Department’s official website.
