Pew Charitable Trust describes legislative actions taken in 2019 by states focusing on three key areas for expanding broadband access: continuing to establish governance and funding structures; clarifying who can provide broadband; and addressing emerging digital issues and opportunities.

A policy paper arguing that the nation should dedicate a sizable share of public airwave spectrum auction proceeds to closing digital equity gaps and establish a reliable, proven vehicle to pursue this task. It outlines spectrum and its regulation, the forces driving the expansion of broadband demand, and precedents for channeling proceeds into public-purpose uses; and lays out a case for endowing a private Digital Futures Foundation to invest in the significant advancements in public-purpose applications and services needed to close the various digital equity gaps for the benefit of all Americans.

The Minnesota Broadband Infrastructure Plan details the elements of the state’s efforts to engage communities and providers with broadband issues. The plan consists of four interacting elements: statutory goals, data and mapping, broadband office, and program tools. The goals of achieving universal access to speeds of 25/3 Mbps by 2022 and 100/20 Mbps by 2026 function as the compass points that direct the other elements of the plan.

This report explains the many challenges that rural entrepreneurs in Iowa face and some ways to improve this issue. One of the main programs focused on this is the Rural Innovation Grant Program, which it argues must continue to grow and receive funding.

This resource documents the ongoing list of American Rescue Plan-funded city, county, and state projects that are under consideration, have been announced, or are under way. Projects are arranged alphabetically by state and organized by whether they are under consideration or are planned.

This 2020 report presents Illinois’ broadband plan, Connect Illinois, and its commitment to closing gaps and expanding opportunity. The plan outlines goals to provide basic access to high-speed internet and ensure longer term high-speed access, and strategies to help the state meet these goals.

This resource explains the impact of the new California legislation S.B. 4 and A.B. 14, which allow local cities and counties to access infrastructure dollars along with empowering local private entities, rather than depending on private multi-national entities which, the EFF argues, are not willing to make the needed generational investment into infrastructure in most areas of the state.

In this blog, EducationSuperHighway describes the purchasing process for network upgrades to school districts. The resource recommends dividing funds into two expense categories: capital and recurring expenses. As funding may be a problem, the resource lists different funding opportunities that may supplement the district's existing budget.

This resource provides an actionable roadmap for improving access to affordable and reliable broadband services for businesses in support of economic development in New Mexico. It evaluates the current broadband infrastructure and identifies the range of State and local entities that would likely be involved in the implementation of new broadband facilities.

This report suggests policy strategies for consideration as the State of New Mexico seeks to maximize the investment environment for broadband. Additionally, the report includes suggested parameters for a state funding program and presents a selection of case studies of successful public-private partnership models for broadband.

This blog examines the flawed outcomes of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), including the role of the process’ bidding mechanisms. The piece also explores how the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) might support more productive outcomes in future reverse auctions.

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This paper describes the commonalities among many of the best state rural broadband funding programs and recommends best practices. The paper also explores the planning and design phases, and the program execution, monitoring, and adjustment phases.

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An overview of federal broadband funding opportunities as of June 2021. Programs discussed include the Treasury Department’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (FRF) and Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CCPF), the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP), and the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ReConnect program.

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This website includes information about current Colorado state broadband grant programs, an interactive broadband map, examples of RFPs, and other resources.

This synopsis provides a link to a blog with additional resources from the Benton Institute to explain what federal broadband funds are available and to assist state and local leaders to meet connectivity challenges and promote digital equity.