Broadband Consulting
Simplifying Complexity to Help Communities Close the Digital Divide
As a trusted broadband consulting partner, GrantWorks works alongside municipal governments, service providers, and state agencies to simplify the complexity of broadband federal funds project management. From strategic planning to fiber deployment, we facilitate reliable, affordable internet connection to bridge the digital divide and improve the quality of life in your communities.
The recently enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has introduced significant funding for broadband development to bridge the digital divide and ensure all Americans have access to reliable, high speed, affordable internet. This is in addition to broadband funding available through state and federal programs, such as the American Rescue Plan Act, which improve economic resiliency, increase access to healthcare services, and enrich educational experiences.
In response to IIJA, GrantWorks established an entire department dedicated to the management and oversight of broadband grants. We work with state, local, and tribal governments, state broadband offices, economic development organizations, industrial development agencies, and internet service providers (ISPs).
Our Broadband Services include:
- Time-sensitive and critical technical support to identify unserved and underserved broadband coverage areas
- Assistance in the procurement of optimal broadband providers to construct open and accessible public broadband infrastructure
- Assistance in leveraging allocated state or federal funds to secure other funding sources
The GrantWorks Difference
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30+ Years of Specialized Telecom & Broadband Experience
Our Vice President of Broadband Services, Tom Simone, and his team bring 30+ years of specialized telecom and broadband experience to the team, including the evaluation of federal, state, and local government broadband grants. -
400+ Nationwide Workforce of Experts
With a national workforce of over 400 subject matter experts, our team is equipped to handle virtually any type of grant program. We have successfully assisted over 600 state, county, and city government entities with grant program management services. -
43+ Years' Experience in Grant Management
For over 43 years, GrantWorks has developed into one of the nation’s leaders in grant management services. We’ve secured over $8 billion in assistance to hundreds of our communities to promote the success of future generations.
Our Broadband Services
Our Broadband Services Department offers an advisor and partner with the perfect combination of specialized, in-house grant management, including consulting, research, data analysis, mapping, and project management for all aspects of broadband deployment grants.
Pre-Grant Consulting
We’ve managed multiple types of federal funding, including ARPA, FEMA, and DOT, for over 40 years. Our experience includes braiding multiple grants and identifying eligibility and compliance criteria for each funding source. We’ll partner with you to navigate the broadband grant funding mechanisms and maximize limited taxpayer resources.
Procurement Services
Our top-rated application and implementation team stands ready to assist your community with a variety of procurement services to obtain vendors for broadband deployment projects.
Broadband Availability Data Analysis and Mapping
Our GIS analysts are fully equipped to provide mapping and data analysis to identify eligible broadband service areas and potential areas with disproportionate impacts. We layer mapping data from providers to represent the scope of proposed broadband projects.
Grant Program Management
Our employees and executive team work alongside your community to make decisions in your best interest for project management, including coordination with broadband providers and grant compliance. We’ll help you avoid non-compliance issues that can lead to costly delays, unfavorable public disclosure, notices of regulatory findings, and federal funds’ clawback.
Provider Negotiation
We will take the lead in negotiating technical and operational details with ISPs to ensure optimal outcomes for your community.
Broadband Funding Sources
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published the FY 2020 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs Notice of Funding Opportunity (PWEAA NOFO). These programs provide economically distressed communities and regions with comprehensive and flexible resources to address economic needs, particularly in Opportunity Zones.
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD)
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Program Overview
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.
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Program Purpose
This program funds projects that help expand high-speed internet access and use. It supports infrastructure deployment, mapping, and adoption. This includes planning and capacity-building in state offices. And it supports outreach and coordination with local communities.
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Eligibility
All 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
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Timeline
- July 18, 2022 – Due Date to Submit Letter of Intent
- August 15, 2022 – Due Date to Request Planning Funds
- 270 Days Post-Planning Funds Receipt – Due Date to Present 5-year Plan
- 180 Days Post-NTIA Notification of BEAD Fund Allocation – Due Date to Submit Initial Proposal
- Post-NTIA Initial Proposal Approval – Funding of 20% of Allocated Funds
- Post-NTIA Final Proposal Approval – Funding of Remaining Allocated Funds
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Useful Links
Digital Equity (DE) Programs
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Program Overview
The Digital Equity Act was established to provide $2.75 billion for three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion ensuring everyone has access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet.
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Program Purpose
The NTIA aims to ensure all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of a digital economy. The three programs are:
- State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program: $60 million for Development of State DE Plans to identify digital equity barriers and strategies to overcome them.
- State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program: $1.44 billion for annual grant program for up to five years in support of DE projects and the implementation of DE plans.
- Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program: $1.25 billion for annual grant programs for up to five years to implement DE projects.
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Eligibility
Any State or Territory.
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Timeline
- July 12, 2022 – Due Date to Submit Applications
- September 15, 2022 – NTIA Award Processing
- September 29, 2022 – NTIA Award of Funds
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Useful Links
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
The ARPA is a funding program administered by the Department of Treasury to provide fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families, small businesses, and industries. It continues many of the programs started by the CARES Act (2020) and Consolidated Appropriations Act (2021) by adding new phases, new allocations, and new guidance to address continuing pandemic-related crises, and fund recovery efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF)
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Program Overview
The Coronavirus SLFRF provides $350 billion to support response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency to build a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity. Funds are allocated by Entity Type.
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Program Purpose
Recipients may make necessary investments in broadband infrastructure, which has been shown to be critical for work, education, healthcare, and civic participation during the public health emergency. Completed projects must participate in a low-income subsidy program.
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Eligibility
Any State, Territory, Metropolitan City, County, or Tribal government that identifies a lack of access to reliable, affordable, high-speed broadband services.
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Timeline
- March 3, 2021 – Cost incurred/Funding start date
- December 31, 2024 – Complete allocation of funds
- December 31, 2026 – Complete expenditure of funds
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Useful Links
Capital Projects Fund (CPF)
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Program Overview
The Coronavirus CPF provides $10 billion to eligible governments to carry out critical capital projects that directly enable work, education, and health monitoring, including remote options, in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Funds are allocated by Entity Type.
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Program Purpose
CPF allows recipients to invest in capital assets that meet communities’ critical needs in the short- and long-term, to ensure all communities have access to the high-quality modern infrastructure, including broadband, needed to access critical services.
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Eligibility
Any State, Territory, Freely Associated State, or Tribal government that identifies a lack of access to broadband service that reliably meets or exceeds symmetrical speeds of 100Mbps.
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Timeline
- December 27, 2021 – States, Territories & Freely Associated States, Deadline to Request Funding
- August 15, 2022 – Tribal Governments, Deadline to Request Funding
- September 24, 2022 – States, Territories & Freely Associated States, Deadline to Submit Grant Plan
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Useful Links
Broadband Resources
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security (CARES) Act
- Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA – The Wireless Association)
- Federal Communications Commission
- Fiber Broadband Association
- Fierce Telecom
- National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
- Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program (BEAD)
- Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure
- Internet for All
- American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
- Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
- Capital Projects Fund
- The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA)
- US Telecom
- The Internet & Television Association (NCTA)
- Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA)
- Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA)
