Federal Cuts May Impact Local Broadband Development

By Gordon HopkinsBroadband internet access has become an economic necessity and providing that access to those rural areas that might go unserved or underserved has been a priority of Jefferson County commissioners for several years. Federal cuts may hobble those attempts at providing service to areas that need it most, although the full extent of those cuts yet unknown.This month, President Donald Trump canceled the Digital Equity Act, which was created to provide $2.75 billion in grants through programs administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). On his Truth social network platform, President Trump called the Digital Equity Act “racist” and “totally unconstitutional.”Oliver Borchers-Williams, director of broadband development for SENDD (Southeast Nebraska Development District) spoke about the matter at the Fairbury Senior Center on Wednesday, May 21.“Nebraska was allocated about $6.5 million to implement that plan within the next year, with potentially about $4 million more coming in future years. That money was appropriated by Congress with the Digital Equity Act, part of the infrastructure bill,” said Borchers-Williams. “They reversed course, rescinded the awards. And you know, we’re kind of in limbo right now when it comes to whether or not there will be federal funds available to implement this.”Then there is the BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) program, which provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs in all 50 states, as well as Washington D.C. and various American territories. “So, the important thing to note with the Digital Equity Act is it is kind of a parallel, but it’s separate from BEAD, “Borchers-Williams pointed out, “That doesn’t impact the infrastructure that program, of course, is under review. Right now at the federal level, they’re looking for ways to train some regulations kind of streamline the process, but Nebraska broadband office is proceeding with their sub grantee selection. They’re going through. They’re looking at all the applications. As far as anybody knows, that’s still going on.” On May 16 of this year, a group of 12 U.S. senators sent a letter to President Trump, urging him to release those BEAD funds.The letter states, in part, “Currently, there are multiple states ready for broadband providers to put shovels in the ground tomorrow. Forty-two states have begun or completed their BEAD application process. Three states have even had their applications fully approved and yet are waiting on funds to be released by your Administration. Many states have applications that are tech-neutral and dramatically more cost-effective than previous projects funded by federal broadband programs, all while fulfilling the program’s mission to bring high-speed, reliable broadband to all unserved communities in their state. The attempts by NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) to revise the state application process at this late stage will cause further delays to the program and leave rural and tribal communities behind in an increasingly connected economy. NTIA must act swiftly to release BEAD funding to states that have already been approved and expeditiously work to approve the remaining eligible applications. Time is of the essence, and our rural and tribal communities cannot afford more delays.”

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