New Jersey board authorizes preliminary BEAD awards to 36 projects, posts final proposal for seven-day comment period

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on Aug. 22 voted to authorize preliminary awards under the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to 36 projects, and directed staff to publish the state's BEAD final proposal for a seven-day public comment period before submitting the package to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) by Sept. 4, 2025.

Val, an Office of Broadband & Connectivity staff member, told the board staff recommended authorizing preliminary awards "to the 36 projects that have been identified for a total award of $63,551,156," and said the action is "subject to the approval of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA." The board moved and seconded the staff recommendation and recorded affirmative roll-call votes on the motion.

The decision follows earlier BEAD milestones described by staff: the BEAD program was established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021); New Jersey received an initial notification of a BEAD allocation of $263,689,548.65; and the state previously submitted a five‑year action plan and initial proposal documents. Staff said New Jersey must submit a BEAD final proposal containing additional required materials to NTIA on or before Sept. 4, 2025, and that NTIA (and subsequently NIST) must approve the state's final proposal before any awards can be made.

During discussion an unidentified commissioner welcomed federal analysis showing New Jersey near the top of states for internet access but urged staff to ensure that required subgrantee match contributions do not become a new charge for existing ratepayers. "I just don't think, on top of everything else, that we should be getting it from current subscribers," the commissioner said.

Board staff said the draft final proposal will be posted on the board website for a seven-day public comment period before submission to NTIA. The motion passed on a roll-call vote; the transcript records affirmative responses when the commissioners called voted "Yes." Following the vote the board adjourned.

Note on transcript inconsistency: staff's presentation to the board stated a total preliminary award amount of $63,551,156; a later line in the recorded transcript lists an inconsistent figure ($63,551,001,156). The amount used for the board's action and staff materials is $63,551,156; the larger figure in the transcript appears to be a transcription or typographic error and is flagged in clarifying details.