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