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Commerce outlines broadband rollout: BEAD prequalification opens, $120M capital projects already obligated
Summary
The Idaho Department of Commerce briefed JFAC on broadband funding streams and timelines: $35M state broadband fund with ~$8.7M remaining, $120M capital projects (obligated), and a $580M BEAD program entering prequalification for providers this spring.
The Idaho Department of Commerce told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee it is coordinating multiple broadband funding streams, has obligated roughly $120 million in capital projects that will connect about 35,000 homes and businesses, and opened a prequalification phase this quarter ahead of a funding-application round for the federal BEAD program.
Brooke Dupree, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, reviewed Commerce’s structure and funds and noted the broadband office — created last legislative session — is now staffed to manage broadband grant programs. Dupree said the department’s fund balances reflect a mix of state general fund transfers, ARPA capital projects money and federal IIJA/BEAD funding.
Ramon Jabe Sanchez, broadband manager at Commerce, gave the committee a program-level summary: the Idaho Broadband Fund (state…
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