{"id":2319304,"date":"2024-08-05T09:33:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T13:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/montana-gets-federal-approval-for-new-broadband-program-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-05T09:34:19","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T13:34:19","slug":"montana-gets-federal-approval-for-new-broadband-program-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/montana-gets-federal-approval-for-new-broadband-program-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Montana gets federal approval for new broadband program &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmontana-gets-federal-approval-for-new-broadband-program-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2319304&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Montana has received federal approval for\u2062 its Broadband Equity, \u200cAccess, and Deployment (BEAD) program, allowing the state to request over \u2064$628 million to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-live-biden-and-australian-prime-minister-anthony-albanese-hold-joint-news-briefing\/\" title=\"LIVE: Biden and Australian PM Albanese in joint news briefing\">enhance internet connectivity<\/a>. Governor \u200dGreg Gianforte expressed enthusiasm about\u200b this development, emphasizing that it will bring his administration&#8217;s total investment in broadband expansion to \u2062nearly \u200d$1 billion. He\u2063 highlighted the importance of this &#8220;generational investment&#8221; in improving reliable, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-revives-obama-broadband-boondoggle\/\" title=\"Biden Revives Obama Broadband Boondoggle\">high-speed internet access<\/a>,\u2064 which is crucial\u2064 for job opportunities, education, and healthcare. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo also stressed that internet access is essential in today&#8217;s world, pledging support to ensure that all Montanans benefit from affordable and quality internet service.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Montana gets federal approval for new broadband program<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1722157\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; The U.S. Department of Commerce has approved Montana&rsquo;s proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.<\/p>\n<p>Thursday&rsquo;s action allows Montana to request over $628 million for the Internet program.<\/p>\n<p>Gov Greg Gianforte welcomed the news, adding this brings his administration&rsquo;s total investment in expanding broadband connection to nearly $1 billion.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Through this generational investment, Montana will continue leading the nation on expanding reliable, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/theres-reason-to-fret-about-the-fccs-digital-discrimination-rule-for-broadband-subsidies\/\" title=\"Concerns arise over FCC&#039;s broadband subsidy rule and digital discrimination\">high-speed connections<\/a> and bridging the digital divide,&rdquo; said the governor. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re unlocking doors and creating greater access to good-paying jobs, high-quality education, and affordable health care.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a statement that the Department looks forward to working with the state &ldquo;to ensure that everyone has access&rdquo; to quality and affordable Internet service.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In the 21st century, a reliable Internet connection is a necessity that enables access to jobs, healthcare, and education,&rdquo; said Raimondo.<\/p>\n<p>Gianforte was among the first governors in 2023 to express interest in applying for a BEAD program planning grant. Montana Department of Administration Director Misty Ann Giles said there have been challenges to getting areas of Montana online, and this is going to help.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;BEAD funding provides a unique opportunity to meet these challenges, expanding broadband to unserved and underserved areas of Montana,&rdquo; said Giles.<\/p>\n<p>The state of Montana now has one year to launch the grant application, receive grant applications from Internet providers, and send selected proposals to the Department of Commerce&rsquo;s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for approval.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>With this latest approval, Montana has one year to launch the grant application, receive grant applications from providers, and submit selected proposals to NTIA for approval.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;On August 15, the BEAD portal will open for applications at ConnectMT.mt.gov,&rdquo; said the governor&rsquo;s office. &ldquo;Upon signing their grant application, selected providers will have four years to deploy broadband services to Montanans in unserved and underserved areas.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1722157\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1722157\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Montana has received federal approval for a new broadband initiative (The Center Square) \u2013 The U.S. Department of Commerce has greenlit Montana&#8217;s application for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This decision enables the state to seek more than $628 million for its Internet initiative. Governor Greg Gianforte expressed his enthusiasm about the development, noting that this brings his administration&#8217;s total investment in enhancing broadband access to nearly $1 billion. &#8220;This significant investment will help Montana continue to lead in providing reliable, high-speed internet and closing the digital gap,&#8221; stated the governor. He emphasized that it would improve access to well-paying jobs, quality education, and affordable healthcare. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo remarked that her department looks forward to collaborating with Montana &#8220;to ensure everyone can access&#8221; quality and affordable Internet services. She highlighted that a dependable Internet connection is essential in today&#8217;s world for accessing jobs, healthcare, and education. Gianforte was one of the first governors in 2023 to show interest in applying for a BEAD program planning grant. Misty Ann Giles, Director of the Montana Department of Administration, acknowledged challenges faced in connecting certain areas but noted that BEAD funding presents a valuable opportunity to address these issues by expanding broadband into unserved and underserved regions of Montana. The state now has one year to initiate its grant application process, collect applications from Internet providers, and submit chosen proposals to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce for approval. According to the governor\u2019s office, &#8220;The BEAD portal will open for applications on August 15 at ConnectMT.mt.gov.&#8221; Once their grant applications are signed by selected providers, they will have four years to implement broadband services in areas lacking adequate coverage<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2319305,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/iStock-1433041100.jpg.optimal.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[18429,37191,8605],"class_list":["post-2319304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-broadband","tag-federal-approval","tag-montana"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/iStock-1433041100.jpg.optimal.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2319304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2319304"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2319304\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2319305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2319304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2319304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2319304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}