UBC Opens BIG BEAD Final Application

Utah Broadband Center has opened Part 1 of the state’s Broadband Infrastructure Grant (BIG), funded through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program with Part 2 to follow shortly. Pre-approved registered applicants can now access the grant portal and begin preparing their final grant applications with the deadline of April 11, 2025. The Utah Broadband Center will award grant funds of nearly $300M to bring high-speed broadband internet to over 43,500 locations across the state of Utah that are currently without.

If you missed the registration deadline, the Last Chance round will give eligible entities an opportunity to apply for locations not chosen or awarded in previous rounds.

Utah American Indian Day on the Hill

The Utah American Indian Day on the Hill is a community-based event that creates space for the public to learn about resources available through state agencies and local organizations focused on supporting American Indian community members. The event was held at the Utah State Capitol on February 6th and consisted of an Exhibitor Stroll, a “Legislative 101” Presentation, speakers, and cultural performances. Our Digital Access team had the opportunity to meet with attendees and share resources. It was a great evening meeting with and celebrating the American Indian community.

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Rural Utah Data Symposium

The Rural Utah Data Symposium held in St. George at Tech Ridge provided rural leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders with an in-depth understanding of the latest economic research and data pertinent to rural communities in Utah. The symposium featured a series of expert-led presentations that explored various critical aspects of rural life, as well as serving as a platform for discussing challenges, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration among participants committed to the prosperity of rural Utah.

UBC Director Rebecca Dilg presented information regarding broadband’s impact on rural economic opportunity. Her presentation covered the socioeconomic impact of broadband access in rural Utah and the impact of grant opportunities in expanding broadband access around the state.

National Digital Access Competitive Grant Recipients Impact Utah

The National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) recently recommended the federal Digital Equity Competitive Grant awards for two applicants serving populations in Utah, Ameelio and the International Rescue Committee.

Ameelio has been awarded $10.7 million to provide free digital communication tools and educational resources to reduce recidivism and promote successful re-entry for incarcerated populations in Utah and Idaho.

The International Rescue Committee has been awarded $8.4 million to deliver culturally and linguistically accessible digital skills training for employment, education, community participation and facilitated access to low-cost digital devices for immigrant populations in 14 states, including Utah.

These projects highlight the opportunity for community members who may otherwise be unable to access important digital resources to receive digital skills support.

Spotlight: Beehive Broadband

Beehive Communications was founded in 1963 as the Silver Beehive Telephone Company. It has grown to be a major telecommunications company in northern Utah, serving thousands of customers in over 70 cities and towns across five counties. Also known as Beehive Broadband, they have a passion for serving their customers which is made evident by the extreme locations in northern Utah’s most rural towns they now serve. And they never stop expanding to even more rural subscribers. Beehive recently became the internet service provider and contractor to install fiber optics for Box Elder County, which received a Broadband Access Grant (BAG) award from the Utah Broadband Center. With matching funds contributed by both Box Elder County and Beehive Broadband, high-speed internet has made it to 1,250 homes in Howell, Elwood, Thatcher, Penrose, Mantua, and Bear River City. Congratulations to Beehive and Box Elder County!

Spotlight: Digital Communications

Direct Communications jumped onto the broadband scene in Utah by purchasing an existing fiber network from Eagle Mountain City in 2006. They immediately began updating the network to include over 14,000 homes in Eagle Mountain. Direct Communications now offers fiber to every home in the community and is the city’s largest private employer. They were recently awarded a Broadband Access Grant through the Utah Broadband Center to build high-speed fiber optics for the homes in the outreach community of White Hills, replacing antiquated legacy copper lines that were barely enough to send an email across the internet. That project is nearing completion and is a testament to Direct Communications’ commitment to service these Utah residents.

Announcements

Broadband Center Expands

The Utah Broadband Center has added two new team members to the Utah Broadband Center: Sara Edgar has joined the team as a Program Specialist and Samantha Tiburcio Escalante as a Program Support Specialist. We are excited to have Sara and Samantha join us and look forward to adding their expertise to UBC!

CentraCom is giving away six scholarships

CentraCom announces a partnership with Snow College to bring greater scholarship value. They will give away six scholarships with an initial value of $750. If the recipient chooses to attend Snow College, the scholarship from CentraCom will be $1500, and Snow College will match $500, raising the value to $2000 (scholarship deferrals for service opportunities will be managed by Snow College). The scholarship may be used for any college expense, such as tuition, books, housing, etc.

If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please use the online submission form. Contact Erin Williams at (435) 427-0688 or (800) 427-8449 if you have any questions.

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