All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

West Virginia opens BEAD Benefit of the Bargain Round

West Virginia has launched the BEAD Benefit of the Bargain Round, allowing applicants to submit new or revised broadband projects from July 10-20, as the state updates procedures to secure critical federal funding.
Broadband Fiber Optic

Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that the West Virginia Department of Commerce, Division of Economic Development, Office of Broadband (WVDED) is publishing updated Program Procedures for the West Virginia Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding program.

“Our office continues to complete the requirements to submit our final BEAD proposal,” said Governor Morrisey. “Today’s announcement is the next step toward securing this critical funding and getting West Virginia connected.”

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice, released June 6, 2025, created a new 90-day deadline for all states to submit their BEAD Final Proposals. The Notice revised several elements of the BEAD Program, including the requirement of an additional “Benefit of the Bargain Round” prioritizing low-cost projects and a technology-neutral approach for meeting service standards.

West Virginia’s Benefit of the Bargain Round will begin on July 10 and conclude at 11:59 pm on July 20, 2025. New and existing BEAD applicants will have the opportunity to provide new and revised projects during the Benefit of Bargain Round. West Virginia’s updated Program Procedures can be viewed here.

Benefit of the Bargain Round

In compliance with the terms of NTIA’s Policy Notice, WVDED has revised the Program Procedures to detail West Virginia’s Benefit of the Bargain Round, including how to submit project applications, how projects will be evaluated, and updated grant requirements.

Applicants that have not previously submitted a pre-application may submit those materials during the Benefit of the Bargain Round. Applicants who previously proposed projects to the West Virginia BEAD Program may revise those existing applications to accommodate updated Target Areas and program changes from NTIA’s Policy Notice.

Following review of the FCC’s Broadband Map and evidence from providers, WVDED has updated the list of BEAD-Eligible Locations (Target Locations) in West Virginia, in compliance with NTIA’s Policy Notice. Please visit broadband.wv.gov for additional Target Location information.

Revised BEAD Schedule

West Virginia’s Benefit of the Bargain Round will be open for applications July 10-20, 2025, followed by a Final Proposal available for public comment in August. The BEAD Final Proposal will be submitted to NTIA on or before September 3, 2025. All referenced dates are subject to possible revision. Please visit broadband.wv.gov for additional program updates as they become available and other information.

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