Kentucky will be allowed to request access to over $1 billion in federal “Internet for All” funding to expand high-speed internet.
That's after the state's Kentucky’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program proposal was recently approved by federal officials. During a press call Monday, the Governor was joined by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Natalie Quillian and BEAD Director Evan Feinman to make the announcement.
In June 2023, Gov. Beshear announced the state secured nearly $1.1 billion in BEAD funding. The award is the largest public investment in high-speed internet in the commonwealth’s history.
“High-speed internet isn’t just the infrastructure of the future, it’s the infrastructure of right now. It’s something that everybody wants, and it needs to be both accessible and affordable,” Beshear said in a news release. “That’s why the BEAD program is transformational. It’s a chance for everybody to chase their dreams – whether that’s applying for a new job or applying to college, getting the health care they need to feel their best, or starting a business in a rural area, but knowing they can sell their product across the country, all because they have high-speed internet.”
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Volume 2 of Kentucky’s proposal. Volume 1 was approved in March 2024. By June 2025, Kentucky must submit a final proposal to NTIA that reports which subgrantees were chosen and how the state will ensure service to all unserved and underserved locations. Once the state receives approval on the final proposal, it can access the remaining BEAD funding.
The BEAD program is part of a $42.5 billion federal investment in high-speed internet connectivity across the U.S. from the federal, bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
In June 2022, the Governor announced a historic $203 million investment, including funds from the state’s Better Internet Program, as well as matching funds, to bring high-speed internet to more than 34,000 Kentucky households and businesses.
