South Carolina, along with three other states, had their initial request for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program approved by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
With the proposal approved, South Carolina, Georgia, Iowa, and Minnesota can request financing and begin implementing the broadband equity program, which is a recognized focus of the Biden-Harris administration’s “Internet for All” project. South Carolina can now request more than $551 million to overcome the digital gap.
“I’ve long said that we need to treat the information highway the same way we treat our interstate highways — with significant investments in expansion and efficiency,” said Representative James E. Clyburn, D-S.C. ”
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s approval of $546 million for South Carolina’s BEAD program brings us one step closer to expanding broadband access to every corner of the state by connecting the final 31,750 underserved sites to the 21st century.”
President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorizes the $42.45 billion government grant program known as Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration distributes sections of these monies to each state to modernize internet networks and ensure that everyone has access to dependable, inexpensive high-speed internet.
Georgia, like South Carolina, can now request more than $1.3 billion, while Iowa and Minnesota can secure more than $415 million and $651 million, respectively.
“In the twenty-first century, a stable Internet connection is required for access to jobs, health care, and education. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Commerce is ensuring that everyone in these four states and across the country has access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet,” stated U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. Congratulations to the teams from Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Carolina. We look forward to working with you to make sure that everyone in the United States is connected.”
Since the pandemic, internet connection has been a top priority in rural communities. Quarantines were in high demand during the pandemic since students and workers were forced to work remotely.
Spartanburg County, for example, has already witnessed investment in broadband internet, with AFL, a maker of fiber optic cables, recently announcing a multimillion-dollar expansion to its factory there.