Governor Patrick Morrisey Announces WV BEAD Restructuring
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Drew Galang, Deputy Press Secretary
(304) 558-2000; drew.galang@wv.gov
June 13, 2025
Charleston, W.Va. – Today, Governor Patrick Morrisey announced the timeline and next steps for West Virginia’s final Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) proposal submission to the federal government. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration indicated they would be adjusting the requirements for the BEAD program. West Virginia has moved quickly to begin the process of finalizing its proposal to ensure timely and successful receipt of the funds.
“We have been anticipating the new guidelines from the Trump administration and are ready to move quickly to secure BEAD funding,” said Governor Morrisey. “These funds are critical to West Virginia and our efforts to provide fast, reliable broadband access across the state.”
The timeline for West Virginia’s final BEAD submission is as follows.
NTIA BEAD Restructuring Notice
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice, released June 6, 2025, creates a new 90-day clock ending September 3, 2025, for all states to submit their BEAD Final Proposals. The Notice has revised several elements of the BEAD Program, including:
- Reduction in subgrantee requirements
- Technology-neutral approach for meeting program service standards
- Additional “Benefit of the Bargain Round” prioritizing low-cost projects
Compliance with this Notice requires an accelerated schedule, and West Virginia will meet this challenge to ensure cost-efficient statewide broadband investments.
Revised Schedule
In compliance with the terms of NTIA’s Policy Notice, the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, Office of Broadband (WVDED) is currently revising program procedures and application materials, as well as the current list of Target Locations eligible for BEAD funding.
West Virginia anticipates opening its Benefit of the Bargain Round of applications in July, followed by a Final Proposal available for public comment in August.
West Virginia Notices to ISPs
West Virginia is moving rapidly to collect the information it will need to meet this accelerated schedule. Two notices were released to internet service providers today to create opportunities to bring new participants into the BEAD applicant pool, and to supply West Virginia with information that could change the list of Target Locations or how Target Locations are offered for bidding in the upcoming Benefit of the Bargain Round.
The first notice is a non-binding BEAD Intent to Participate, open to any Service Provider Applicant who did not apply in prior WV BEAD applications or extensions. To view this notice, and for more information click here. Those companies who respond will be provided with forthcoming information regarding how to apply during the Benefit of the Bargain Round.
The second notice applies to Unlicensed Fixed Wireless Providers (ULFW) and is available here. The ULFW Evidence Request is a separate Notice of Intent for ULFW providers to indicate their intent to provide The West Virginia Office of Broadband with evidence that their networks meet BEAD technical performance standards.
All referenced dates are subject to possible revision. Please visit broadband.wv.gov for additional program updates as they become available and other information.
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