PSC Transitions BEAD Program to Nebraska Broadband Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PSC TRANSITIONS BEAD PROGRAM TO
NEBRASKA BROADBAND OFFICE
Lincoln, June 6, 2023- On Tuesday, June 6, the Nebraska Public
Service Commissioners signed a resolution transitioning the
Commission’s role in the Broadband Equity, Access and
Deployment (BEAD) program to the Nebraska Broadband Office
(NBO) and the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT).
In June of 2022, the Commission was named as the administering
agency for the federal BEAD program. Managed by the National
Telecommunications Information Association (NTIA), BEAD will
make $42.5 billion available to states for broadband buildout.
“Since accepting the role as the administering agency, the
Commission has been working to comply with all federal
requirements, including the development of a five-year plan
that must be completed in order for the state to receive BEAD
funding,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier.“I am extremely
proud of the work accomplished by our staff in laying the
groundwork for a successful BEAD program in Nebraska.”
The resolution, which reiterates the Commissions’ commitment to
the smooth transition of activities and federal grant award
responsibilities to the NBO/NDOT follows the passage of LB-683.
The bill established the framework for the Nebraska Broadband
Office and was signed into law by Governor Pillen on May 26.
The Nebraska Broadband Office was created in January by an
Executive Order issued by the Governor.
Commission Chair Watermeier said, “We will continue to join with
our state partners to bring broadband to Nebraskans and we look
forward to working with the new director of the Broadband Office.”
A copy of the resolution can be found on the PSC website @
< https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/broadband-equity-
access-deployment-bead >.
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Contact:
Deb Collins- Communications & Media Mgr.
(402) 471-0226
deb.collins@nebraska.gov
