Brady PieperThe Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) is making $1.2 billion in grants available to expand broadband infrastructure and connect unserved and underserved Washingtonians to reliable, high-speed internet.
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) represents the state’s share of the federal Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, an over $42 billion nationwide initiative aimed at closing the digital divide and providing high-speed internet to all Americans. In addition to the federal funds, the state is offering $300 million in matching funds for local governments, tribes and eligible entities that apply.
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WSBO will use the federal grants to support last mile infrastructure projects that expand broadband access, create economic opportunities and improve educational and healthcare access for residents in regions lacking reliable internet.
WSBO will open the application process up to a wide range of eligible entities, including cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, public-private partnerships, private companies, public utilities and local and tribal governments.
To qualify for funding, applicants must propose projects that focus on underserved and unserved areas, in accordance with WSBO’s updated BEAD construction area maps. These maps detail regions across the state where broadband expansion is most needed.
The agency will target projects that acquire, install and construct last mile broadband infrastructure to connect end users to internet that meets or exceeds 100 Mbps in download and 20 Mbps in upload speed.
Applicants will be encouraged to build out broadband infrastructure using fiber-optic connections; however, WSBO will consider alternative solutions to connect residents, especially in disadvantaged communities and communities that lack capable infrastructure.
This round of BEAD applications will close on Jan. 31. Following submissions, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will evaluate applications before the WSBO announces awards for successful BEAD projects in summer 2025.
In addition to the funding announcement, the WSBO will introduce a Digital Equity Dashboard to monitor and track progress while closing Washington’s digital divide. The dashboard aims to provide transparency and data-driven insights into broadband access, digital literacy and technology adoption across the state.
Interested parties can find more information, applicant resources and how to get involved with Washington state’s broadband programs on WSBO’s Internet for All Initiative webpage.
Photo by Christina Morillo
