The Utah Broadband Center (UBC), part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), announces Utah’s launch of the registration and pre-application portal for the state’s Broadband Infrastructure Grant (BIG). This grant is made possible through the federally funded Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
The $42.5 billion BEAD program, part of the U.S. Congress’ Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), allocated $317.4 million to Utah.
“Funds will be awarded through the state’s largest broadband infrastructure grant program to provide high-speed internet to technologically unserved and underserved locations,” said Rebecca Dilg, UBC director. “These will include the remaining homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions across the state, including tribal lands that still lack access to essential high-speed internet.” Eligible locations to be served were verified through the recently completed state BEAD challenge process, also administered by UBC.
Entities wanting to apply for Utah’s BIG grant must register and participate in the pre-application process. Eligible entities include internet service providers, provider(s) with local government, tribal governments, telecommunication organizations, co-ops, and nonprofits. Once launched, the portal will be open for 60 days. Only approved registrants can participate in the grant process when it opens later in January 2025.
To meet the funding requirements of providing high-speed internet access statewide, the pre-application process will help define grant project areas. This step ensures that all program funds are awarded to qualified applicants.
The BIG registration and pre-application portal will open on Oct. 22, 2024. UBC will host an in-person “Registration and Pre-Application Overview” at GOEO, 60 East South Temple, Suite 300, in Salt Lake City on Oct. 24, 2024. Attendees are encouraged to explore the portal before the training. The portal link will be posted at broadband.utah.gov
Following is the timeline for upcoming events related to the new portal:
• Oct. 16 at noon — Connecting Utah Call (Monthly virtual call providing UBC updates)
• Oct. 22 — Registration & Pre-application Portal Opens
• Oct. 24 at 12:30-2:30 p.m. — Registration & Pre-application Overview (in-person only) Location: GOEO, 60 E South Temple St, Suite 300, SLC
• Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. — Pre-Application Webinar
• Nov. 5 – Dec. 17, Tuesdays at 10 a.m. — Weekly Virtual Office Hours
• Nov. 21 — Utah Broadband Alliance (Quarterly meeting providing broadband information and collaboration). Networking lunch 11:30 a.m. Meeting noon-2:00 p.m.