Wash. Starts BEAD Planning

Washington state started writing plans for digital equity and broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) grants, the Washington Commerce Department said Monday. The BEAD plan will guide how the state uses $900 million in estimated federal support, the department said. The state signed a contract with Guidehouse Consulting to develop both plans, it said. Guidehouse and the state broadband office plan to host several public events around the state to assess connectivity needs and adoption barriers, with a virtual kickoff meeting set for March 29 at 2 p.m. PDT, the department said.