State’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program proposal receives federal approval

FRANKFORT, KY - On June 17, 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear joined federal officials to announce that Kentucky’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program proposal has been approved, which allows the state to request access to over $1 billion in federal “Internet for All” funding to expand high-speed internet.

In June 2023, Gov. Beshear announced the state secured nearly $1.1 billion in BEAD funding to bring affordable, reliable high-speed internet service to every Kentuckian. The award is the largest public investment in high-speed internet in the commonwealth’s history.

During a press call Monday, the Governor was joined by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Natalie Quillian and BEAD Director Evan Feinman to make the announcement.

“High-speed internet isn’t just the infrastructure of the future, it’s the infrastructure of right now. It’s something that everybody wants, and it needs to be both accessible and affordable,” Gov. Beshear said. “That’s why the BEAD program is transformational. It’s a chance for everybody to chase their dreams – whether that’s applying for a new job or applying to college, getting the health care they need to feel their best, or starting a business in a rural area, but knowing they can sell their product across the country, all because they have high-speed internet.”

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Volume 2 of Kentucky’s proposal, which outlines the commonwealth’s plans for funding deployment, stakeholder engagement, local coordination, workforce initiatives, affordability and more.

Volume 1 was approved in March 2024 and detailed existing high-speed internet funding, unserved and underserved locations, community anchor institutions and the challenge process, which allowed internet service providers, local governments and nonprofits to submit corrections to maps of which locations have high-speed internet access. With these approvals, the commonwealth can now select subgrantees and request access to the federal funding.

By June 2025, Kentucky must submit a final proposal to NTIA that reports which subgrantees were chosen and how the state will ensure service to all unserved and underserved locations. Once the state receives approval on the final proposal, it can access the remaining BEAD funding.

The approved subgrantees will build the infrastructure needed to connect unserved (no internet access or under 25/3 Mbps) and underserved (access under 100/20 Mbps) locations identified during the BEAD challenge process, prioritizing unserved locations first.

The BEAD program is part of an unprecedented $42.5 billion federal investment in high-speed internet connectivity across the U.S. from the federal, bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Today’s announcement continues Gov. Beshear’s commitment to connect every home and business to high-speed internet.

In June 2022, the Governor announced a historic $203 million investment, including funds from the state’s Better Internet Program, as well as matching funds, to bring high-speed internet to more than 34,000 Kentucky households and businesses.

In August 2022, the Governor announced $20 million in grant funding to assist eligible internet providers with utility pole replacement costs.

In December 2022, Kentucky secured a $5.8 million planning grant from the BEAD program.

In February 2023, Gov. Beshear announced a 14-stop Better Internet Initiative Listening Tour so his administration could hear directly from Kentuckians about their needs for better internet.

In September 2023, the Governor announced a $386 million investment, including Better Internet Program funds and matching funds, which will bring high-internet to 42,600 Kentucky homes and businesses. ?

In March of this year, Gov. Beshear announced a $20.4 million investment in high-speed internet, which will connect 3,574 homes and businesses in Henderson and Daviess counties. The state awarded more than $10.2 million to electric cooperative Kenergy to complete the work, and the company is providing $10.2 million in matching funds. 

Later in March of this year, the federal government announced that Kentucky can apply to receive more than $12.1 million to empower individuals and communities with the tools, skills and opportunities they need to benefit from meaningful access to high-speed internet.

Learn more about the state’s efforts to expand high-speed internet by clicking here.