WA: NTIA OK's Washington's Broadband Proposal, Unlocking $1 Billion Investment

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Washington’s final Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program proposal, clearing the way for the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) to begin awarding $736 million in federal funding and $112 million in state match funding to bring high-speed internet to every part of the state. That combines with other sources for more than a billion in total funding to support broadband expansion.

The approval is a significant milestone in Washington’s efforts to close the digital divide and ensure that every resident has access to reliable, high-speed internet. BEAD projects will bring about 166,500 businesses and households online over the next four years in Washington.

“This approval means that more than a billion dollars in funding can begin connecting tens of thousands of households and businesses,” said Commerce Interim Director Sarah Clifthorne. “This marks a new chapter for addressing our state’s digital access needs and we’re eager to get started.”

Construction timelines vary by project, but all construction must be completed within four years. WSBO anticipates that some projects will break ground this year. The WSBO will monitor subgrantees and oversee project funding, protecting the dollars from potential waste, fraud, and abuse. It will review subgrantees at least annually to ensure they are on track, and more often if needed.

“This is a transformative moment for Washington,” said WSBO Director Jordan Arnold, who joined Commerce in January. “For rural and underserved communities, internet access is a lifeline to economic opportunity, education, health care, and the modern world.”

The next step is beginning contracting and construction on the projects, which include fiber, fixed wireless and low-earth satellite. There are 238 project areas in under- and unserved locations across the state.

This approval follows Washington’s submission of its Final Proposal in September. The proposal outlined the state’s strategy for awarding funds to Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Public Utility Districts (PUDs), cooperatives, tribes, and other organizations that will build and expand broadband infrastructure across underserved and unserved areas.