Iowa Opens Revised BEAD Application Window
Iowa began accepting applications on Wednesday for its $400,000 Empower Rural Iowa broadband grant program funded by the BEAD program (see 2507140059). Applications are due by July 30 at 5 p.m. CDT. The Iowa Department of Management released its notice…
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of funding availability last week, highlighting several notable changes. The previous "fiber-first" preference was eliminated and replaced with a technology-neutral approach. The funding notice requires broadband speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps for noncommunity anchor institutions and at least 1 Gbps symmetrical for community anchor institutions. Scoring for subgrantees was also revised to "focus exclusively on the qualifying broadband offering at each eligible location that can be provided with the smallest outlay of federal funds." Unlicensed fixed wireless providers will be given an opportunity to prove that locations within their networks are currently served to be removed from BEAD eligibility. The state anticipates grant agreements being executed in early December.