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Commerce outlines broadband spending: $35M state fund largely obligated, BEAD planning underway for $580M
Summary
The Idaho Department of Commerce told legislators that $26.5 million of the state’s $35 million broadband fund is already obligated, ARPA and other federal funds are being deployed to connect tens of thousands of unserved locations, and the state is preparing applications for the federal BEAD program.
The Idaho Department of Commerce told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Wednesday that the state’s broadband portfolio includes three main funding streams, substantial obligations of state and ARPA funds and active preparation to apply for federal BEAD funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Brooke Dupree, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, reviewed Commerce’s budget and the recent creation of a dedicated broadband office. Dupree said the Idaho Broadband Fund—initially capitalized by a $35 million general-fund transfer—had about $26.5 million obligated and roughly $8.5 million remaining. She said ARPA capital-projects funding of about $120 million had been awarded to 18 projects statewide, connecting approximately 35,000 homes and businesses, and that IIJA/BEAD funds (federal) total roughly $580 million for Idaho.
Commerce Director…
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