Virginia has received final approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) for its Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Final Proposal. The announcement was made by Governor Glenn Youngkin following confirmation from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth.
When Governor Youngkin began his term in 2022, over 430,000 Virginians did not have access to broadband infrastructure. Since then, Virginia has connected more homes than any other state, with only 133,000 locations remaining unserved before this latest approval. With the BEAD Final Proposal now approved, projects are underway to bring broadband service to all remaining unserved homes and businesses in the Commonwealth.
“Since the very beginning of our administration, connecting every Virginia home and business to reliable, high-speed internet has been a top priority,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This approval clears the way for us to keep this promise, with a funded broadband project for every unserved home and business in the Commonwealth. Virginia continues to be a national leader in broadband expansion and will be one of the first states in the nation to reach universal broadband access. We offer a tremendous thank you to Secretary Lutnick and Administrator Roth for their leadership in delivering this critical funding while saving taxpayer dollars.”
With NTIA’s authorization of Virginia’s proposal, more than $545 million in BEAD awards will go to 23 internet service providers tasked with expanding broadband infrastructure across more than 133,000 homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions statewide. These awardees will use various technologies and nearly $430 million in private investment as part of their deployment efforts.
The Office of Broadband within Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) developed the Final Proposal and is responsible for administering the BEAD program. The DHCD used a streamlined grant application process called “Benefit of the Bargain” that enabled them to reach every unserved location while using cost-effective technology alternatives where possible—resulting in taxpayer savings exceeding $250 million.
“We’re thrilled to announce the approval of Virginia’s BEAD Final Proposal,” said NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth.“Virginia’s broadband office has shown real leadership—embracing a mix of technologies while working with private partners to deliver nearly a billion dollars in savings. We look forward to seeing universal connectivity become a reality across the Commonwealth.”
“This approval is a critical milestone in Virginia’s broadband expansion efforts. Achieving universal broadband access will foster economic growth, strengthen public safety, and improve access to education and healthcare across the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Commerce & Trade Juan Pablo Segura.
“Broadband access is essential for effective participation in the modern economy and society. Virginia’s BEAD Final Proposal is the last piece of the puzzle for bringing high-speed, reliable broadband access to every Virginian,” said Department of Housing & Community Development Director Maggie Beal.
Additional details about awarded projects can be found at dhcd.virginia.gov/bead.
