Closing the Broadband Availability Gap and Support the Development of a Five-Year Action Plan

Description

Purpose: The Purpose of This Grant Is to Support Closing the Broadband Availability Gap and Support the Development of a Five-Year Action Plan.the Proposed Project Includes the Following Planning and Pre-Deployment Activities: Research and Data Collection, Including Initial Identification of Unserved Locations and Underserved Locations Consistent with Rules, Regulations, and Processes Commission Has Established for Making Determinations in Broadband Data Maps; the Development of a Preliminary Budget for Pre-Planning Activities; Publications, Outreach, and Communications Support; Providing Technical Assistance to Potential Subgrantees, Including Through Workshops and Events; Establishing, Operating, or Increasing Capacity of a Broadband Office That Oversees Broadband Programs and Broadband Deployment in an Eligible Entity; Costs Associated with Meeting the Local Coordination Requirements in Section IV.C.1.C of This Nofo Including Capacity Building at the Local and Regional Levels or Contracted Support; Reasonable Post-Nofo, Pre-Award Expenses <$100,000 Relating to Preparation of Program Submissions or Adding Additional Capacity in Preparation for Bead Program.expected Outcomes: The Outcomes of South Dakota's Proposed Project, "Connectsd-Bead," Are a Comprehensive Five-Year Action Plan Which Identifies the State's Broadband Needs for Unserved and Underserved Communities, Serves to Measure and Track Our Progress Toward Connecting All Residents of South Dakota with Reliable Broadband Service, and Ensures All Residents of South Dakota Have Access to Reliable, Affordable, and High-Speed Internet. Specific Outcomes Include Increased Capacity to Gather and Interpret Data and Determine Future Support Needs; Connecting Citizens with Existing Reporting Systems; Creation of Distribution Plan for Bead Funding; Collecting an Abundance of Input, Leading to a More Robust Application Process, Promoting Equitable Access for Potential Sub-Grantees; and Better Tracking of Project Progress.intended Beneficiaries: The Intended Beneficiaries Are Unserved and Underserved Groups in the State of South Dakota with a Focus on Rural and Unserved Populations.subrecipient Activities: The Recipient Does Not Intend to Subaward Funds.