ConnectMT Broadband Program

Approved Initial Proposal Volume I

Montana has submitted the initial results of the states BEAD Challenge process to NTIA for review.  These results are available below and include preliminary lists of unserved locations, underserved locations, and Eligible Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs).   Please note, until NTIA approves these results, these locations are considered preliminary and do not represent the final list of eligible BEAD locations.

• Underserved_Montana_post-challenge.csv
• Unserved_Montana_post-challenge.csv

• FAQ NEPA for BEAD
• Permitting and Environmental Information Mapping Application
• Permitting Roundtables Interagency Collaboration
• Smart Start NEPA Compliance for BEAD
• The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Program Comment for Federal Communications Projects Flowchart
• BLM ROW

• Buy America Build America (BABA) Waiver
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework
• General Conditions Federal Prevailing Wages
• Eligible Entity Regulatory Approach
• Local Coordination Documentation Tracker
• Subgrantee Selection Scoring Rubric
• BEAD Program Surety Bonds

• _BEAD-Initial-Proposal_Volume-I_Deduplication-of-Funding-Programs.xlsx
• _BEAD-Initial-Proposal_Volume-I_Existing-Broadband-Funding-Sources.xlsx
• _cai.csv
•   underserved.csv
• _unserved.csv
• _cai challenges.csv
• _challengers.csv
• _challenges.csv
•   post challenge cai.csv
•   post challenge locations.csv

"USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Programs provide a variety of loans and grants to build and expand broadband networks. Loans to build broadband networks and deliver service to rural households and businesses, provide capital for rural telecommunications companies and broadband providers. Grants are reserved for communities with the highest need."

Telecom Programs | Rural Development

"The BroadbandUSA program, housed within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), serves state, local, and tribal governments, industry, and nonprofits that seek to expand broadband connectivity and promote digital inclusion."

Home | BroadbandUSA

"The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands."

• BEAD NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity)
• Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program | BroadbandUSA
• IIJA/BEAD Initial Proposal Guidance Volumes I & II
• BEAD Allocation Methodology
• Map of High Cost Areas
• High-Cost Areas by Census Block

"The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion. They aim to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy."

• DE NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity)
• Digital Equity Act Programs | BroadbandUSA

"Launched in 2009, NTIA’s State Broadband Initiative (SBI) implements the joint purposes of the Recovery Act and the Broadband Data Improvement Act, which envisioned a comprehensive program, led by state entities or non-profit organizations working at their direction, to facilitate the integration of broadband and information technology into state and local economies. Economic development, energy efficiency, and advances in education and health care rely not only on broadband infrastructure, but also on the knowledge and tools to leverage that infrastructure."

State Broadband Initiative | BTOP / SBI Archived Grant Program

"NTIA administers grant programs that further the deployment and use of broadband and other technologies in America, laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth; improved education, public safety, and health care; and the advancement of other national priorities."

Grants | National Telecommunications and Information Administration