1620B117

Purpose: The purpose of this grant is to support closing the broadband availability gap and support the development of a five-year action plan.

The proposed project includes the following planning and pre-deployment activities:

1. Research and data collection, including initial identification of unserved locations and underserved locations consistent with rules, regulations, and processes the commission has established for making determinations in broadband data maps.
2. Publications, outreach, and communications support.
3. Providing technical assistance to potential subgrantees, including through workshops and events.
4. Training for employees of the broadband program or office of the eligible entity or employees or political subdivisions of the eligible entity, and related staffing capacity or consulting or contracted support to effectuate goals of the BEAD program.
5. Establishing, operating, or increasing capacity of a broadband office that oversees broadband programs and broadband deployment in an eligible entity.
6. Asset mapping across the eligible entity to catalogue broadband adoption, affordability, equity, access, and deployment activities occurring within the eligible entity.
7. Conducting surveys of unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities to better understand barriers to adoption.
8. Costs associated with meeting the local coordination requirements in Section IV.C.1.C of this NOFO, including capacity building at the local and regional levels or contracted support.
9. Reasonable post-NOFO, pre-award expenses <$100,000 relating to preparation of program submissions or adding additional capacity in preparation for BEAD program.

Expected Outcomes: The state of Idaho is requesting funding through the BEAD program to help support the pursuit of more reliable broadband service, with the goal of connecting all unserved Idahoans to high-speed broadband service of 100/20 Mbps or greater, with a focus on rural and unserved populations. The initial planning funds will be utilized to build the capacity of the state to implement the BEAD program, including through building the capacity of the broadband office, building out the data knowledge base to inform future broadband activities, and conducting outreach to engage and involve a wide range of stakeholders across the state in the process.

Intended Beneficiaries: The intended beneficiaries are unserved and underserved groups in the state of Idaho, with a focus on rural and unserved populations.

Subrecipient Activities: The recipient does intend to subaward funds for community planning grants that will support regional broadband planning efforts.

Idaho Department Of Commerce

11.035 - Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [DOC]

Boise, Idaho 83702-5868 United States

Single Zip Code

None

Infrastructure $4,376,087 (1%) percent this Project Grant was funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Act.
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 09/30/27 to 06/30/32 and the total obligations have increased 13228% from $4,376,087 to $583,256,250.