20 States, Territories Granted More Time on BEAD Proposals
Twenty states and territories have received extensions from NTIA to file their revised final proposals for the $42.5 billion BEAD program, with deadlines now staggered through late October after 36 of 56 eligible entities submitted plans by the Sept. 4 cutoff (see 2509050028).
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NTIA directed states, territories and the District of Columbia to conduct a new "Benefit of the Bargain" subgrantee selection process and resubmit final BEAD plans. As a result, several states are now preparing to open or close public comment periods before final submission. The Alaska Broadband Office updated its website Friday to announce that it's "continuing to work with" NTIA on its plan, and its seven-day public comment period "is coming soon." A spokesperson from New York's Empire State Development said ConnectAll is currently reviewing applications and will "announce proposed awards when the draft final proposal is posted for public comment." The spokesperson didn't specify the state's new deadline.
Other states already have firm dates in place, they told us. Michigan's plan is due Thursday, Oregon's on Sept. 18, Indiana's Sept. 19, Idaho's Sept. 25, Illinois' and South Carolina's Sept. 30, California's Oct. 2, Utah's Oct. 3 and Texas' Oct. 27. Connecticut officials didn't specify the length of their extension but said they will post a proposal for public comment "soon."
Indiana is among the states working without much extra time. Chief Broadband Officer Steve Cox told us that NTIA gave the state until Sept. 19 to finalize its plan. "Hopefully, we will be posting for public comment later in the week," he said, adding that state officials are scheduled to meet Thursday on the item.
South Carolina is also eyeing the end of September. Broadband Office Director Jim Stritzinger said the state "plans to release its plan for public comment on Sept. 19" to hit its Sept. 30 deadline. In Missouri, Office of Broadband Development Director BJ Tanksley said the state is still "compiling the results of its subgrantee selection process and preparing for our meeting with NTIA prior to opening for public comment." Missouri expects to start its comment period later this month, he added.
Meanwhile, Nebraska’s draft plan is already out for comment, with the period closing Wednesday. The state hasn't said when it will submit its revised proposal after reviewing feedback.
Other states and territories have been silent on their timelines. Alabama, Florida, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C., also received extensions. Their broadband offices didn't comment. NTIA also didn't respond to multiple requests for comment on the new deadlines for the 20 entities.