County officials reported that the state has given preliminary approval to Burke County’s application for broadband funding under the federal BEAD program, and that the application now awaits final federal review.
Officials said the state favored the county’s application over a competing Comcast application. They said the decision now moves to a federal committee and that Representative Rick Allen—who sits on the committee mentioned—would be a useful contact as the county seeks final approval. County presenters said they had applied for $9,000,000 and planned to match that amount with $9,000,000 in county funds to leverage SPLOST dollars.
Officials urged patience while the application proceeds through the federal review; they said county staff had already reached out to members of Congress’ offices and other contacts to press the case.