NTIA Clears Mo., Tenn. BEAD Plans

NTIA gave Missouri and Tennessee the go-ahead to collect a combined $2.5 billion in broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) funds Friday. The federal agency approved volume 2 of each state’s initial plan. NTIA allocated about $1.7 billion to Missouri and $813 million to Tennessee. NTIA has approved entire initial plans for 27 states plus three territories and the District of Columbia. The agency approved five plans last week and expects to review most by next month (see 2408010053). Meanwhile, Kentucky opened a portal to apply for broadband grants from the state’s $1.1 billion BEAD allocation, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said Friday. Potential applicants can register now. A prequalification phase will run Aug. 14 to Sept. 13, in which the state will collect managerial, technical and operational information. Kentucky expects to start accepting applications in November, Beshear's office said.