Miles SmithThe application period for the first wave of $1.04 billion in grants for projects to expand broadband internet access in Illinois has opened.
The money is available through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, which is funded through grants from the National Telecommunications Information Administration.
Connect Illinois Round 4 will use the funds to provide broadband to unserved and underserved locations and eligible community anchor institutions.
The BEAD program advances high-speed internet expansion by funding projects focused on planning, infrastructure deployment, mapping and adoption.
Applications must be submitted to the Illinois Office of Commerce and Economic Opportunity by Feb. 26.
The state said more than 175,000 locations are eligible for the program. A list of pre-approved providers has not yet been published.
The subgrantee application and selection process consists of up to three waves, starting with an initial focus on hard-to-serve areas.
During the first wave, applications are open to all subgrantees regardless of technology or project area. The state will review only those with at least 10% hard-to-serve project area units that are priority broadband projects, such as end-to-end fiber. Grants have a 25% match requirement.
Wave 2 will be available to applicants who were not funded in the first wave, and Wave 3 is optional, the state said.
Application dates for Wave 2 and Wave 3 have not yet been announced.
Photo by Brett Sayles
