West Virginia takes next step in broadband access project

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — West Virginia will begin the full application phase of its Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) grant program next Monday.

This comes after the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications Information Administration approved the state’s BEAD Challenge Results, allowing it to release the final BEAD Eligibility Map and begin taking full applications from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that are eligible to compete for BEAD grants.

“We look forward to continuing our work with each company that has stepped up to participate in the BEAD program,” West Virginia Office of Broadband Director Kelly Workman said in a press release. “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 map shows which BEAD-eligible locations are served, underserved and funded. Starting Aug. 26, 2024, the Full Application portal will be open for 60 days here . ISPs that participated in the pre-application process this spring are able to compete in the full application phase.

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