NTCA Statement on Announcement of $42.5 Billion BEAD Program Allocations

Shirley Bloomfield, Chief Executive Officer of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, today attended the Investing in America Event at the White House, where President Biden and Vice President Harris announced plans for the allocation of $42.5 billion in Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment funding. Bloomfield issued the following statement in response:
 
“Today’s announcement is an important step towards connecting millions of unserved Americans with high-quality, future-proof broadband,” said Bloomfield. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime investment, and it is critical that we get the details right as we now enter critical stages of implementation. As states step even more into the driver’s seat, we must aim high in our connectivity objectives and continue working to ensure that funding is distributed to areas where it is needed most, streamline permitting processes so that providers can meet program deadlines, and find a path to a workable resolution on the Buy America provisions in the program. We also urge Congress to address taxation issues so that the full amounts awarded can be put to work in building networks and bridging the digital divide.”  
 
Bloomfield will also host a panel discussion with Kathryn de Wit, Project Director, Broadband Access Initiative, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Will McIntee, Senior Advisor for Public Engagement, White House, Herb Tyson, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, NTIA and Andrew Berke, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, about this announcement and more tomorrow morning at the NTCA Smart Rural Community Live conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.