Approval provides access to Virginia’s $1.48 billion BEAD allocation to close the digital divide Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today the release of the federally approved Virginia Initial Proposal Volume 2 that will enable Virginia to access its allocation of $1.48 billion through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) federal Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act. This approval puts the Commonwealth firmly on the path toward accessing funding for administration of the BEAD program to support Virginia’s goal to close the digital divide and deploy high-speed, affordable internet networks to areas without broadband. Virginia was the first state in the nation to submit all required BEAD plans to access funding.  “Virginia’s historic investment in broadband infrastructure is one key ingredient which helped drive our ranking as America’s top state to do business in 2024. With the resources we are securing today, we can close the digital divide and ensure all Virginians have access to high-speed internet,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Today’s announcement is a key step in our efforts to provide high-speed internet access to the remaining unserved regions of the Commonwealth ensuring all Virginians have the opportunity to prosper.”  The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion nationwide program to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, affordability and adoption programs. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will administer the Commonwealth’s $1.48 billion BEAD allocation to build upon the work of the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI). As funding for universal broadband access is being delivered, DHCD will also utilize these funds to invest in efforts promoting affordability and improving adoption of this critical service.    “In today’s digital world, broadband is critical infrastructure that is necessary for Virginians and Virginia business to thrive,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “This approved proposal lays out our strategy to connect all across the Commonwealth and ensure no Virginian is left behind.”    The next step in the BEAD program involves finalizing and ensuring all locations lacking access to high-speed internet and not part of any existing state or federal deployment projects are included in the program. Following the approval of locations by NTIA, Virginia will initiate the application phase later this year. During this phase, broadband providers will have the opportunity to submit applications to extend their services to these unconnected regions.    “Virginia has been a national leader in the broadband arena, and the approved proposal lays out a comprehensive approach to connect all Virginians through state and federal resources,” said DHCD Director and Chief Broadband Advisor Bryan Horn. "We applaud the collaboration of our broadband partners to develop a strong proposal that addresses both connectivity and affordability.”    Since 2017, Virginia has allocated over $935 million in state and federal funding to extend broadband infrastructure to over 388,000 locations in 80 cities and counties across the Commonwealth. These investments have leveraged an additional $1.1 billion in matching funds from local governments and internet service providers.    For more information about Virginia’s broadband efforts, visit dhcd.virginia.gov/broadband.