The White House just made a BIG announcement – all 50 states now know how much federal broadband funding they will be awarded to expand high-speed internet access.
- To address America’s digital divide, a broadband funding pool of $42.45 billion was passed under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand high-speed internet access.
- With the goal to prioritize areas of the country most in need, the federal government referenced the FCC’s national broadband map when determining how much funding each state should receive.
Why it matters: 8.3 million U.S. homes and businesses are not able to access high-speed internet – or the many benefits that come with a connection. This new announcement of federal broadband funding provides states with the ability to achieve a fully connected America.
How Much Funding Did Each State Receive?
Under the infrastructure law, all states and U.S. territories received a minimum of $107 million and $27 million respectively, and 19 states received allocations over $1 billion – here are some examples from across the country:
- Texas: $3.3+ billion
- Virginia: $1.48+ billion
- Minnesota: $651+ million
- Michigan: $1.55+ billion
- Washington: $1.22+ billion
Click here to find out how much federal broadband funding your state will receive.
How Can States Make the Most of the Federal Broadband Funding?
Closing the digital divide is now ultimately in the hands of each state – and their leaders.
That’s why Beyond has launched #ConnectivityCounts, a campaign focused on making sure that this historic federal broadband investment results in every American having access to high-speed internet.
Here is what states can do to make the most of the funding they receive:
- Prioritize the unconnected: Invest in projects that will bring broadband to communities without any connectivity while taking measures to avoid unnecessary waste, fraud, and abuse.
- Partner with experienced internet providers: Cable broadband providers have connected 82 million Americans to high-speed internet, including over 9 million in the last three years. States should leverage cable providers’ expertise, resources, and technology to get the job done right.
- Support broadband assistance programs: Internet assistance programs play a vital role in enabling millions of Americans to access broadband. These programs help subsidize the cost of broadband subscriptions, devices, and digital literacy training, allowing more people to participate in the digital world.
Join us and sign the petition to tell your state’s leaders to make smart broadband investments with their share of the federal broadband funding.
