CHARLESTON, W.VA — The West Virginia Department of Economic Development, West Virginia Office of Broadband, (WVDED) announced today another key milestone in its allocation of $1.2 billion in Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding, under the 2021 Infrastructure Act, which dedicates $42.5 billion to broadband expansion nationwide. The WVDED administers West Virginia’s BEAD program.
The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) has approved West Virginia’s BEAD Challenge Results. This approval enables the State to release the Final BEAD Eligibility Map and begin the Full Application Phase. West Virginia is among the first states in the nation to obtain NTIA approval of its Final Challenge Results and is among the first states to open its Full Application Phase.
The Final BEAD Eligibility Map is posted at broadband.wv.gov. As with BEAD pre-applications, full applications will be submitted through WVDED’s ZoomGrants Application Portal. The BEAD Full Application portal will be open for 60 days, beginning Monday, August 26, 2024.
“The West Virginia Department of Economic Development understands that broadband connectivity is imperative to West Virginia’s economic future,” said Mitch Carmichael, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development. “The Office of Broadband team has worked incredibly hard to fully implement the BEAD program, again ranking among the first in the nation to achieve this approval. There is simply no time to waste in ensuring that all West Virginians have access to broadband connectivity.”
West Virginia conducted its mandatory BEAD Pre-Application Phase from March 18 through May 30, 2024. Pre-Applicants are Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that have demonstrated eligibility and capacity to compete for BEAD grants are eligible to compete in the Full Application Phase.
“We look forward to continuing our work with each company that has stepped up to participate in the BEAD program,” said Kelly Workman, Director of the West Virginia Office of Broadband. “BEAD requires that we reach 100 percent of all unserved locations. The participation of each broadband provider is essential to our ability to expand broadband to all West Virginians, especially those in the most rural areas of our State.”
The West Virginia Office of Broadband has conducted multiple online and onsite training events to prepare for the BEAD application process. Additional BEAD resources are available at broadband.wv.gov. Updated BEAD Program Procedures and application guidance will be provided during the Full Application Phase.
NTIA approved West Virginia’s BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2 on April 18, 2024. Within 12 months of this approval date, West Virginia must submit a Final Proposal to include projects that will reach all unserved and underserved locations.
Please visit broadband.wv.gov for program details and updates, broadband mapping, and other information.