important news

Each Tribal government and the State of Hawaii (for Native Hawaiian Programs) are  allocated an equal amount of approximately $167,504 in line with the statutory text,  which requires Treasury to allocate funds to these governments in “equal shares.” Broadband infrastructure is an eligible expense. The Consortium has a tribal resolution template that makes it easy for tribal councils to submit to us to begin work today.

State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program funding is now available for your organization as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funding is available this fiscal year for your tribal government to fund the creation or updating of your own Digital Equity Plan and/or fund participation in the development of relevant State Digital Equity Plans. Amounts vary from $50k to $150k. 

NOTE: The Consortium will pursue BEAD on behalf of our member tribal governments. DON'T CONSENT TO OTHERS!

NTIA's BEAD Program is a block-grant program, providing grants in lump sums to States.  States will take most of the BEAD implementation money and sub-grant it to build broadband infrastructure to households without any or inadequate broadband service. With restrictions, it can also be used for broadband adoption activities.  If an Eligible Entity’s Final Proposal includes  plans to deploy broadband to Unserved Service Projects or Underserved Service Projects that  include any locations on Tribal Lands, the Eligible Entity must submit proof of the Tribal  Government’s consent to such deployment. 

The Consortium submitted an NTIA grant proposal by deadline of 9/1/21. Our proposal has passed the program review stage and we currently await for the grant award, expected by May/June 2022. 

As part of the American Rescue Plan, Congress passed $7.17B to provide funding for schools and libraries. There are three (3) filing windows. Window 1 application deadline is August 13, 2021. Window 2 deadline was October 30, 2021. Window 3 application deadline was May 13, 2022.