On the three-year anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Florida is set to receive $1,164,947,415.71 to expand high-speed internet access. The funding, announced by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24), comes from the Biden-Harris administration through the National Telecommunications Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
The BEAD program, established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—commonly referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—represents the largest federal broadband investment in U.S. history. The funds will support Florida’s “Prosperity through a Connected Florida” project, aimed at delivering broadband services to unserved and underserved areas. Priority will be given to deploying gigabit internet connections to community anchor institutions, such as libraries and community centers, in areas with the greatest need.
Congresswoman Wilson, one of the five original cosponsors of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, emphasized the importance of the initiative. “It is imperative we ensure that all Floridians have access to high-speed internet,” she stated. “An investment of this magnitude is an investment in our state’s future and the future of Floridians of every stripe.”
The funding will be administered by Florida’s Department of Commerce, which can allocate up to 2% of the grant for administrative expenses and related activities pending NTIA approval. The remaining funds will be reserved until the state submits a Final Proposal, which is due one year after NTIA approves the state’s Initial Proposal.
This funding aims to bridge the digital divide, providing equitable access to essential internet services across Florida.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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