In his first month of many announcements and Executive Orders, President Donald Trump is signaling a shift in federal infrastructure policy, prompting states to assess the impact on their broadband expansion plans facilitated by federal funding programs.
Under his “Unleashing American Energy” Executive Order signed Jan. 20, Trump directed government agencies to “immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act [IRA] of 2022…or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act [IIJA].” These acts directed billions of federal dollars to states and cities for projects ranging from broadband and highway expansions to electric vehicle infrastructure, water system upgrades, and investments in manufacturing. The Trump administration initially paused the disbursement of funds, but days later, the order was rescinded following a court ruling.
Where do announcements like this leave states working on broadband plans under these programs? So far, they’re holding steady.
After Trump’s Executive Order was announced, broadband facilitators are generally holding course. Since Jan. 23, there have been no changes announced by National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), charged with administering BEAD and other programs funded by the IIJA. Legally, precedent stands that a president can’t block congressionally approved spending, and the IIJA, which includes the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, was enacted with bipartisan support and has already been congressionally approved.
BEAD funds are intended to close the digital divide and provide reliable, affordable broadband to all Americans.
The Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) did not alter its BEAD application timeline for round one (all-fiber proposals), which closed on Jan. 31 and told everyone to stay the course. The Washington State Department of Commerce issued an update on the status of federal funding, outlining several, recent nationwide communications related to federal aid programs.
To date, Commerce noted: “We can confirm the money is flowing again after the Trump administration rescinded the freeze. If you have federal funding from Commerce, please continue your programs and services as usual. We will reach out if there are future actions or orders that impact your programs. The statement also affirmed that “while there have been Executive Orders that are creating questions and uncertainty about programs—especially those related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and access—there is no current impact to state-funded programs.”
In a past interview with the publication Government Technology, BEAD Program Director Evan Feinman stated that he did not expect the new administration to impact the program’s continuation.
WSBO issued a press release on Feb. 13 recapping the statewide, first-round application activity for BEAD funding, which closed Jan. 31. In it, the Office cited “massive interest,” resulting in 307 applications covering most of the project areas across the state. The 307 applications illuminated the need for broadband across the state and covered 180 of 236 previously identified project areas. Applicants represented organizations including tribes, counties, public utility districts, ports, and internet service providers (ISPs). As it stands, more than 214,000 locations across Washington State do not have high-speed broadband service.
BEAD awards are contingent on all three funding rounds and federal approval. Round two is anticipated to open mid-March and will include hybrid proposals. Washington state’s BEAD proposal to NTIA is due May 2.
We continue to support municipalities, tribal nations and other interests in Washington State as they prepare in earnest to help connect their communities via their BEAD project applications. If your community needs help navigating BEAD, NoaNet is here to help.
Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet) is a not-for-profit wholesale telecommunications mutual corporation that has been serving Washington State since 2000. As a mission-driven organization, NoaNet focuses on bringing world-class telecommunications technology to hard-to-reach communities which lack access to high-speed affordable broadband services.
Learn more:
https://www.govtech.com/network/whats-new-in-digital-equity-meet-trumps-ntia-lead
https://www.commerce.wa.gov/update-on-omb-memorandum-m-25-13/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/unleashing-american-energy/
