Gov. Beshear: Registration Open for $1.1 Billion High-Speed Internet Expansion Grant Application Portal

Pre-qualification opens Aug. 14; submissions of applications expected in November

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 2, 2024) - As part of his commitment to connect every home and business in Kentucky to high-speed internet, Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that the state has opened the Broadband Grants Management Portal for user registration.

Registering is the first step in applying for funds from Kentucky's $1.1 billion allocation from the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Internet service providers, local governments and nonprofits are all eligible.

"Every Kentuckian deserves access to high-speed internet, because it's a necessity for work, school, health care and so much more," Gov. Beshear said. "We are making sure everybody gets connected - and that they can get reliable service at an affordable price."

The second step - the pre-qualification phase - will open Aug. 14 and close at 6 p.m. EDT on Sept. 13. Managerial, technical and operational information from prospective applicants will be collected during this step. The third step will be the submission of applications for BEAD funding, which is expected to open in November.

Users are encouraged to plan ahead and enter their information in advance of the portal closing to allow time for questions, clarifications or technical issues. Users must complete the pre-qualification process to apply for BEAD funds. The state's Office of Broadband Development is overseeing the three-phase process, and additional information and instructions are available in the portal's user guide.

From the start of his administration, Gov. Beshear has made high-speed internet expansion a top priority.

In June 2022, the Governor announced a historic $203 million investment, including funds from his Better Internet Program, as well as matching funds, to bring high-speed internet to more than 34,000 Kentucky households and businesses.

In August 2022, the Governor announced $20 million in grant funding to assist eligible internet providers with utility pole replacement costs.

In December 2022, Kentucky secured a $5.8 million planning grant from the BEAD Program.

In February 2023, Gov. Beshear announced a 14-stop Better Internet Initiative Listening Tour so his administration could hear directly from Kentuckians about their internet needs.

In June 2023, Gov. Beshear announced the state secured a nearly $1.1 billion federal grant from the BEAD Program, the largest public investment in high-speed internet in the commonwealth's history, which will bring affordable, reliable high-speed internet service to every Kentuckian.

In September 2023, the Governor announced a $386 million investment, including Better Internet Program funds and matching funds, which will bring high-speed internet to 42,600 Kentucky homes and businesses.

In March 2024, he announced the first high-speed internet investment of his second term: $20.4 million which will connect 2,353 homes and businesses in Henderson County and 1,221 homes and businesses in Daviess County. The state awarded more than $10.2 million to electric cooperative Kenergy to complete the work, and the company is providing $10.2 million in matching funds.

In April 2024, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration accepted Kentucky's State Digital Equity Plan.

In May 2024, the Governor joined leaders at Charter Communications as they brought high-speed internet service to Berry, Kentucky, for the first time, marking the company's 10,000th local community served.

In June 2024, Gov. Beshear joined federal officials to announce that Kentucky's BEAD program proposal was approved, which allowed the state to request access to its funding allocation.

The Governor continues to encourage Kentuckians to take the internet Speed Test (for desktop, laptop, tablets and smartphones) and the Mobile Speed Test (smartphones only).

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