DEED announces prequalification process for $652 million in federal broadband funding

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that the agency's proposed map of eligible locations to receive high-speed broadband through the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding allocation has been formally accepted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Nearly 89,000 locations that are unserved or underserved could receive high-speed broadband through the program. The total BEAD allocation for Minnesota totals $652 million. DEED has published a map of the qualifying locations here.

Internet providers that plan to apply for BEAD grants should submit prequalification applications now. More information about the process and the program is available on DEED's website.

Read the full announcement here.