Idaho Office of Broadband Update: March 2025
The Idaho Office of Broadband and Idaho Broadband Advisory Board are excited to share the following update with the State’s partners and stakeholders.
Idaho BEAD Program
BEAD Application Project Areas (APAs)
At the end of 2024, the IOB held an open, public comment period for the State’s BEAD APA Map
1.0. Those public comments can be reviewed here on Link Up Idaho. Based on the feedback the State received, the Team has refined the APAs with an enhanced focus on technology types as well as re-evaluating those BSLs that are likely the hardest to reach and/or the costliest.
Stakeholders can now view BEAD APA Map 2.0, which is accompanied by an additional 14-day public comment period.
Opening Thursday, March 13, 2025, and closing @ 11:59pm MT on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
BEAD Prequalification Application Phase
Due to the overhaul of the State’s APAs, the Prequalification Application Phase will reopen for 14-days.
Opening Thursday, March 13, 2025, and closing @ 11:59pm MT on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Resources and guidance documents for the Prequalification Application can be found on Link Up Idaho here.
The Prequalification Application can be accessed via to the Idaho Department of Commerce’s Grant Portal. If you do not already have portal access, please make sure to select “New User?” on the login page. New portal users will be sent PDF directions regarding how to navigate the portal. Please note, that organizations are only able to have one active portal user at a time. For grant portal questions, please contact grants@commerce.idaho.gov.
Important Note: Prequalification is only being reopened for new applicants or those that did not previously submit. Existing applicants cannot use this process to modify pending Prequalification Applications.
Prequalification Application Curing
The State’s third-party consultant, Michael Baker International, has been hard at work reviewing and analyzing previously submitted Prequalification Applications. In collaboration with the IOB, application curing memos will be sent out soon via email.
Important Note: Each cure must be completed and resubmitted within 7-calendar days of receipt.
Upcoming IOB Open Office Hours
Zoom link can be found here. Please be sure to register.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 @ 1pm MT Tuesday, March 25, 2025 @ 1pm MT
Idaho Broadband Advisory Board
No meeting is currently scheduled.
Message from the Idaho Commission for Libraries
At Risk: $6.3 million to support digital access for all Idahoans. See article here.
Stay informed, engaged and educated by monitoring Link Up Idaho.
View additional updates here.