Montana

Connecting through Federal Grant Programs

The state also received $43.1 million in funding for schools and libraries from the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program and grants from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), $601,301 from the Digital Equity Act, and $15.5 million from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).²¹

The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) ACP and other federal funding forms an integral component of the diverse range of measures used by the federal government to tackle the digital divide. These measures are part of the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth’s (OICG) overall strategy to connect everyone in America to high-speed Internet.

The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) awarded four grants totaling $142.9 million to four Tribes: Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana ($33.2 million); Chippewa Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, Montana ($15.3 million); Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation ($41.5 million), and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, Montana ($52.8 million).

The Chairmen, Presidents, and Council Members for all Montana Tribes were invited to the two-day Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Tribal consultation and forum, which took place in late September 2023. In addition to the Tribes present, the Montana Director for Administration (who oversees the Montana Broadband Office) and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) employees attended and presented, as well as answered questions.

Public Engagement

The Montana State Broadband Office completed public comment periods for its Five-Year Action Plan, Digital Equity Plan, and Initial Proposal Volume 1, and Initial Proposal Volume II. Monthly, the state convened a public session of its Communications Advisory Commission to provide the public with the opportunity to learn about and comment on the state’s progress and policy decisions being considered.

In August 2023, the Montana Broadband Office led a robust public comment session with members of the state’s rural telecom association. Small, rural Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from across the state asked questions and provided feedback related to Initial Proposal planning, particularly about how the subgrantee selection process can ensure BEAD Program funding reaches all unserved and underserved Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs).