NTIA Clears 3 More BEAD Plans; Colo. Seeks Applications

NTIA cleared three more initial plans for the broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program. Idaho may now access its $483 million BEAD allocation, while North Dakota can tap $130 million and American Samoa $37 million, NTIA said Thursday. The federal agency has approved initial BEAD plans for 43 of 56 U.S. jurisdictions. It approved New Jersey’s plan Sept. 6 (see 2409090009). Also Thursday, Colorado started accepting applications for its $826.5 million BEAD allocation. “Being one of the first to open this funding positions us ahead of other states and territories, and will lead to Colorado completing projects faster,” said Gov. Jared Polis (D) in a news release.