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
