Alabama Begins $1.4B BEAD Grant Applications

16 April 2025 | IPv4 Blog

Alabama’s $1.4 Billion Broadband Expansion

Montgomery, AL — Alabama has opened the application window for $1.4 billion in broadband infrastructure grants through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is managing the program. It aims to expand high-speed internet to areas that need it most.

Applications opened April 7 and will close May 22, 2025.

The funding targets last-mile broadband projects. Eligible areas include unserved locations with speeds below 25/3 Mbps and underserved areas between 25/3 and 100/20 Mbps.

Projects must include at least a 25% funding match. However, proposals with higher matches can earn up to 10 bonus points.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include cooperatives, nonprofits, public-private partnerships, private companies, utilities, and local governments. All applicants must have passed Alabama’s pre-qualification process.

How Projects Will Be Scored

Alabama will score applications using a 75-point system. According to NRTC, the state will evaluate both project efficiency and community impact.

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program in Alabama is administered by the Alabama Digital Expansion Division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

Primary Scoring (Up to 75 Points Total)

BEAD Outlay (Up to 40 points): Projects with lower costs and higher matches score higher.
Affordability (Up to 20 points): Points go to the most affordable 1 Gbps symmetrical plans.
Fair Labor (Up to 15 points): Applicants with clean labor records and fair practices receive full credit.

Secondary Scoring

Deployment Speed (1 point): Service must be available within four years.
Local Support (Up to 10 points): Strong backing from community or Tribal groups boosts the score.
Project Type Bonus (Up to 10 points):
For priority projects: More unserved locations mean more points.
For other projects: Faster speeds, strong technical design, and future-proof upgrades are key.
Low-Cost Option (4 points): Providers offering $30/month service for low-income homes can earn extra points.

What the Funding Covers

Eligible costs include building, improving, or buying broadband infrastructure and equipment. This includes backhaul, middle-mile, last-mile networks, and connectivity in multi-dwelling units (MDUs).

For updates and resources on Alabama’s broadband funding, visit ADECA’s broadband webpage.