D.C. Memo: Lutnick Grants National 90-Day BEAD Extension. Spending Caps Still Up in the Air

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BEAD: NTIA is circulating a document that grants the 50 states an additional 90 days to submit final plans that establish how they are going to use their $42.45 billion in BEAD funds to close the digital divide in their respective states. The undated and unsigned document indicated that the extra 90 days were necessary because states will need the time to adjust their BEAD awards to the programmatic changes promised by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in early March. “A comprehensive review of the BEAD Program is underway, and a Policy Notice will be issued to improve and streamline the program, necessitating additional time for Eligible Entities to submit their Final Proposal to NTIA,” the NTIA notice said. Some expect Lutnick’s new rules to hit the streets in mid May. (PDF of NTIA document and more after paywall.)