Grant applications are open through May 22 for Alabama’s $1.4 billion allocation from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The initiative, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), targets last-mile broadband infrastructure for areas lacking adequate internet access.
Alabama’s share represents 3.3% of the $42.5 billion federal BEAD program—one of the largest allocations nationwide—reflecting the state’s significant broadband needs in rural and underserved communities.
Grant Scoring Criteria (Maximum: 75 Points):
- Minimal BEAD outlay (up to 40 points) – up to 10 bonus points for exceeding the required 25% funding match
- Affordability (up to 20 points)
- Fair labor practices (up to 15 points)
- Speed of deployment (up to 1 point)
- Community/local/tribal government support (up to 10 points)
- Network performance (up to 10 points)
- Speed and capacity (4 points)
- Scalability (3 points)
- Future-proof investment planning (up to 3 points)
- Low-cost service offering (up to 4 points)
Funds may be used for a range of infrastructure needs including backhaul, middle mile, last mile and connections to multi-dwelling units (MDUs). Eligible applicants include cooperatives, nonprofits, utilities, private companies, local governments and public-private partnerships.
As of April 2025, 19 states have received more than $1 billion in BEAD allocations:
- Texas – $3.31 billion
- California – $1.86 billion
- Missouri – $1.74 billion
- Michigan – $1.56 billion
- North Carolina – $1.53 billion
- Virginia – $1.48 billion
- Alabama – $1.40 billion
- Louisiana – $1.36 billion
- Georgia – $1.31 billion
- Washington – $1.23 billion
- West Virginia – $1.21 billion
- Mississippi – $1.20 billion
- Florida – $1.17 billion
- Pennsylvania – $1.16 billion
- Kentucky – $1.09 billion
- Wisconsin – $1.06 billion
- Illinois – $1.04 billion
- Arkansas – $1.02 billion
- Alaska – $1.02 billion
Application periods that have opened in these states:
- Alabama: Opened April 7, 2025-May 22
- Michigan: Opened January 2025
- Pennsylvania: Nov. 22, 2024–Jan. 21, 2025
All 56 eligible states and territories have received National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approval for their Initial Proposals, which enables them to draw BEAD funds.
Despite political shifts, the BEAD program continues with bipartisan backing. The infrastructure legislation authorizing the program passed in 2021 with cross-party support, signaling broad perception that reliable internet access is vital to modern life—particularly in rural and low-income communities.
Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, called the broadband investment “a team effort” that will “close the gap in broadband coverage.” Rep. Terri Sewell, a Democrat representing Alabama’s 7th District, described the funding as “a game changer for our state,” noting its potential to benefit historically Black colleges and universities and underserved communities in Birmingham and the Black Belt.
Photo by Brett Sayles via Pexels
