Little Compton council votes to press Rhode Island Commerce for BEAD allocation

At a Little Compton Town Council meeting, councilors voted to draft a letter to Rhode Island Commerce asking that the town be prioritized in the state's Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) planning and awards process. The motion, made during a discussion of the state program, passed unanimously.

The BEAD program was described by a council speaker as a state-run effort backed by federal funding to expand high-speed internet across Rhode Island. Councilors discussed a May 12 proposal submission window and a June 23 award date for Commerce's initial round of BEAD funding, and urged local advocates to press state officials during that period.

Councilors said Little Compton ranks among the most underserved towns in the state and that the council should make an explicit case to the Commerce Corporation's selection committee. The council asked staff to draft a letter addressed to Chief Strategy Officer Daniella Fairchild, copying state legislators mentioned during the meeting, and to have local contacts (named in the discussion) carry the town's request to state decision-makers.

Councilors and other speakers said the town hopes a BEAD-funded deployment would bring fiber to homes and, secondarily, improve cell coverage. The council did not set technical or funding specifics for any project; it asked only that the town's need be highlighted in state BEAD deliberations.

The motion to draft the letter was moved, seconded and approved. No formal commitments of local money or vendor selections were made at the meeting.

Additional context: the BEAD discussion referenced Rhode Island Commerce's evaluation process and a timeline for proposals and awards; council speakers named local contacts who will advocate for the town during the May 12'June 23 window.