WYOMING — More of Wyoming will be able to access high-speed internet under a federal program that recently approved proposals from 29 states to expand broadband internet.
A Tuesday press release from Gov. Mark Gordon’s office states that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration approved Wyoming’s proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. The program is funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — signed into law in 2021 — and offers over $42 billion in federal funds to bring high-speed internet to Americans.
“The approval of Wyoming’s final proposal marks an important step forward in our goal of connecting every serviceable location in the state with broadband access,” Gordon said via news release. “As one of the first states to receive approval, this announcement demonstrates Wyoming’s national leadership and the strength of the Wyoming BEAD program.”
According to the press release, this investment seeks to provide internet service to rural communities in states where access has historically been a challenge. Wyoming will receive just under $348 million in grants to broadband providers. The Wyoming Broadband Office, housed under the Wyoming Business Council (WBC), has developed a plan to ensure that the money is used in the most effective way, and is working with the state’s internet service providers (ISP) to make that a reality.
“The WBC has been proud to work with Wyoming’s ISPs to develop and refine our plans for the BEAD Program, deploying high speed broadband to 100% of serviceable locations in the state,” CEO of WBC Josh Dorrell said in a statement. “We know that reliable and robust infrastructure of all kinds is vital to Wyoming’s future, and this funding allows us to stay at pace with the rest of the country, accessing the broader world economy.”
In June, the Trump Administration issued the “Benefit of the Bargain,” which is guidance focused on “removing regulatory burdens and unnecessary costs from the previous administration’s plan.” Wyoming’s proposal leveraged that guidance in order to expand broadband access while aiming to increase fiscal responsibility and government efficiency.
