Making digital equity a reality through the ‘Investing in America’ agenda
The White House has announced a plan to bring affordable and reliable high-speed internet service to all corners of America. This initiative, part of the “Investing in America” agenda, will allocate $42.45 billion in grant funding across the nation.
“What this announcement means for people across the country is that if you don’t have access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet service now – you will, thanks to President Biden and his commitment to investing in America,”
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is the main vehicle for these grants. Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, BEAD will help states, the District of Columbia, and territories build out their Internet infrastructure.
Lifeline for underserved communities
Millions of Americans who currently lack high-speed Internet access stand to benefit greatly from this initiative. In our increasingly digital world, access to reliable Internet service is vital for work, education, healthcare, and more.
Infrastructure for a digital future
By manufacturing fiber-optic cable in America and creating good paying jobs building Internet infrastructure, this initiative isn’t just about immediate access—it’s about setting up the nation for long-term digital success.
Following the legacy of the Rural Electrification Act
The grant program takes inspiration from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Rural Electrification Act, aiming to bring essential services to every community, leaving no one behind.
State allocations and funding details
The $42.45 billion in funds will be allocated to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories.
A detailed list of funding allocations for each state, D.C., and the territories can be found on InternetForAll.Gov.
Here’s how it breaks down:
| State/Territory | Allocation Amount |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,401,221,901.77 |
| Alaska | $1,017,139,672.42 |
| Arizona | $993,112,231.37 |
| Arkansas | $1,024,303,993.86 |
| California | $1,864,136,508.93 |
| Colorado | $826,522,650.41 |
| Connecticut | $144,180,792.71 |
| Delaware | $107,748,384.66 |
| District of Columbia | $100,694,786.93 |
| Florida | $1,169,947,392.70 |
| Georgia | $1,307,214,371.30 |
| Hawaii | $149,484,493.57 |
| Idaho | $583,256,249.88 |
| Illinois | $1,040,420,751.50 |
| Indiana | $868,109,929.79 |
| Iowa | $415,331,313.00 |
| Kansas | $451,725,998.15 |
| Kentucky | $1,086,172,536.86 |
| Louisiana | $1,355,554,552.94 |
| Maine | $271,977,723.07 |
| Maryland | $267,738,400.71 |
| Massachusetts | $147,422,464.39 |
| Michigan | $1,559,362,479.29 |
| Minnesota | $651,839,368.20 |
| Mississippi | $1,203,561,563.05 |
| Missouri | $1,736,302,708.39 |
| Montana | $628,973,798.59 |
| Nebraska | $405,281,070.41 |
| Nevada | $416,666,229.74 |
| New Hampshire | $196,560,278.97 |
| New Jersey | $263,689,548.65 |
| New Mexico | $675,372,311.86 |
| New York | $664,618,251.49 |
| North Carolina | $1,532,999,481.15 |
| North Dakota | $130,162,815.12 |
| Ohio | $793,688,107.63 |
| Oklahoma | $797,435,691.25 |
| Oregon | $688,914,932.17 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,161,778,272.41 |
| Rhode Island | $108,718,820.75 |
| South Carolina | $551,535,983.05 |
| South Dakota | $207,227,523.92 |
| Tennessee | $813,319,680.22 |
| Texas | $3,312,616,455.45 |
| Utah | $317,399,741.54 |
| Vermont | $228,913,019.08 |
| Virginia | $1,481,489,572.87 |
| Washington | $1,227,742,066.30 |
| West Virginia | $1,210,800,969.85 |
| Wisconsin | $1,055,823,573.71 |
| Wyoming | $347,877,921.27 |
| American Samoa | $37,564,827.53 |
| Guam | $156,831,733.59 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | $80,796,709.02 |
| Puerto Rico | $334,614,151.70 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | $27,103,240.86 |
The states, D.C., and territories will receive their formal notice of allocation on June 30, 2023, and will have 180 days to submit their initial proposals.
Closing the digital divide: the long view
As the world continues to evolve into an increasingly digital space, access to high-speed Internet isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. With this grant program, the Biden-Harris administration is acknowledging and addressing a key area of infrastructural inequality. The long-term implications of this program have the potential to reshape the American digital landscape, offering equal opportunity for all citizens to engage in the digital economy, pursue online education, and access telehealth services. Through this investment, America is setting a global precedent, ensuring future generations are equipped to thrive in a digital world.
