Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) invites proposals from eligible internet service providers to take part in the new Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Subrecipient Support Program, which provides funds to promote the ability of various entities to participate in the BEAD Program.
The program provides needs-based grants to assist in preparing a BEAD application. Awards range from $10,000-$200,000 to be used for planning, analysis, stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and short-term capacity necessary to plan and draft an application to the BEAD program.
Municipalities, municipal organizations, co-ops, utilities, for-profit entities, nonprofit entities, or other consortiums are all eligible for support from this program. Priority will be given to entities facing financial, in-house expertise, or other barriers that complicate or make it more challenging to apply for funding via BEAD.
The VCBB was awarded $229 million in funding from the BEAD Program. To promote a competitive program, the VCBB established the BEAD Subrecipient Support Program and has approved $1 million to provide needs-based grants to eligible internet service providers to ensure they have the resources required to participate in the competitive BEAD grant program.
“Applying for funding from the BEAD program is a big lift for any provider, especially a small, new, or non-traditional provider. Applying takes time and money and is resource intensive. Vermont created this needs-based program to ensure that all types of providers have the ability to effectively compete for this funding and that all areas receive bids. The program's support will help the state ensure we have a robust process that will make the most effective use of federal dollars and ensure every rural Vermonter gets connected,” said VCBB Deputy Director Rob Fish.
Responses will be accepted on January 29, 2024, February 19, 2024, and March 18, 2024, or until all funds are exhausted or the Board votes to suspend the program. For more information, go to https://publicservice.vermont.gov/vt-community-broadband-board-vcbb/broadband-equity-access-and-deployment-program/bead-potential.
Source: 1.11.2024. Montpelier, Vermont – Vermont Community Broadband Board
