CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC — The National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the Department of Commerce accepted South Carolina’s first proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. It was one of four states that did so.
The plan was approved, which means that South Carolina, Georgia, Iowa, and Minnesota can now ask for funds and start putting the broadband equity program into action. This is a known priority of the Biden-Harris administration’s “Internet for All” effort. South Carolina can now ask for more than $551 million to help close the digital gap.
“I’ve long said that we need to treat the information highway the same way we treat our interstate highways — with significant investments in expansion and efficiency,” said James E. Clyburn (D, S.C.-06). “The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s approval of $546 million for South Carolina’s BEAD program brings us one step closer to expanding broadband access to every corner of the state by connecting the final 31,750 underserved sites to the 21st century.”
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe Biden made the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program possible. It is a $42.45 billion government grant program. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration says that it gives some of these funds to each state to improve their internet networks and make sure that everyone has access to fast, reliable internet at a reasonable price.
Georgia can now ask for over $1.3 billion, the same amount as South Carolina. Iowa can get over $415 million, and Minnesota can get over $651 million.
“In the twenty-first century, you need a strong Internet connection to get to work, medical care, and school. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law from the Biden-Harris Administration makes sure that everyone in these four states and across the country has access to high-speed Internet that is both good and affordable,” said Gina Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce. “Good job to the teams in South Carolina, Georgia, Iowa, and Minnesota!” “We are excited to work with you to connect everyone in the United States.”
Since the pandemic, getting online has been very important for people in rural places. During the pandemic, when students and workers had to work from home, quarantines showed that they were needed.
AFL, a company that makes fiber optic cables, recently announced that it will be expanding its plant in Spartanburg County for a number of million dollars. This is one place where investment in broadband internet is already being seen.
“This is a turning point as we move forward with BEAD to bring high-speed Internet to all South Carolinians who are still not served or are underserved and close the digital divide for good,” said Jim Stritzinger, director of the South Carolina Broadband Office.