Press Releases

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland

June 30, 2023                                                    340-201-6453

Press Release

PLASKETT ANNOUNCES $27 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR BROADBAND IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement announcing $27 million in federal grant funding for broadband in the VI through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program:

“I am proud to see the results of so many of Congressional Democrats’ successes, the BEAD program is a product of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that I worked on extensively with my colleagues in the House of Representatives last year.  This funding will be used for broadband deployment, mapping, and adoption projects that will help us better connect our communities and understand our land. The program prioritizes providing broadband to unserved, rural areas like the Virgin Islands. These much-needed resources will go to support planning efforts including building capacity in our territory’s broadband offices and outreach and coordination with local communities.” 

In order to participate in BEAD, States, Territories, and DC will be required to submit a Letter of Intent and then may request up to $5M ($1.25M for Territories) to support planning efforts including building capacity in state broadband offices and outreach and coordination with local communities. If States, Territories, and DC elect to receive the initial planning funds, they will be required to submit a 5-year broadband action plan, which shall be informed by collaboration with local and regional entities. Once the final allocation is determined, States, Territories, and DC will be required to submit an Initial Proposal and a Final Proposal (both of which need to be approved by NTIA) that outlines the intended use of their funding allocation.

Congresswoman Plaskett also shared, “This $27 million allocation is the first of numerous sources of funding for broadband equity and access in the Virgin Islands. Please stay tuned for follow-up announcements from my office on additional funding.”

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