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Task force hears BEAD implementation update: 97 subawards executed, NEPA and permitting remain
Summary
State broadband staff reported 97 fully executed BEAD subgrant agreements and described permitting, NEPA and tribal-consent steps still in progress; staff said NTIA approved some project adjustments and reawards after provider changes.
State broadband office staff provided a BEAD implementation update to the task force, saying subrecipients are moving into construction and remaining pre-construction steps continue to take time. "As of this morning, we had 97 fully executed BEAD grant agreements," one staff member said, noting that many subrecipients are working through NEPA and historic-preservation reviews before awards are issued.
Staff described some recent NTIA-approved project adjustments: a provider acquisition prompted location changes, and a provider that did not meet audit-related conditions had certain locations reawarded. "We continue to iterate, and we've had really robust participation in the program," a broadband office presenter said, adding that staff are managing churn in awards as providers complete pre-construction requirements.
Task force members asked about tribal consent and other pre-award conditions; staff said some awards will only be issued after tribal consent is documented. Members emphasized the difficulty of the "last miles" of deployment and the need for ongoing staff support through permitting and compliance.
