Carter statement on Trump Administration approving Georgia broadband deployment grant

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today released the following statement after the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced approval of the state of Georgia’s five-year Broadband Equity and Deployment (BEAD) program allocation, totaling $1.31 billion for statewide broadband expansion and quality improvements: 

“I’m proud to have supported Georgia’s application for this critical grant, and I applaud the Trump Administration for approving it today. Internet access is no longer a luxury; it is part of everyday life. We must ensure that the number one state in the nation to do business has world-class broadband connectivity to accelerate our economy and help our residents thrive.”                        

BACKGROUND

According to NTIA’s website, the BEAD Program is a $42.45 billion federal grant program that aims to connect every American to high-speed internet by funding partnerships to build infrastructure. States and territories can use their allocated funds for these eligible uses: 

• Planning for the deployment of high-speed internet, including conducting research, collecting data, outreach, and training
• Deploying or upgrading internet infrastructure in unserved or underserved areas, or improving service to community anchor institutions
• Installing internet and Wi-Fi service in multi-unit residential buildings
• Internet access, adoption and use programs
• Workforce readiness programs to meet the needs of the infrastructure programs
• Other activities that increase meaningful use of constructed infrastructure, at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary