Publisher: The Daily Yonder
Published: September 4, 2026
Source: Read at The Daily Yonder (https://dailyyonder.com/all-56-federal-broadband-plans-approved-construction-comes-next/2026/09/04/)
Category: Food Access
On August 25, the Commerce Department approved Illinois's BEAD spending plan, making it the last of 56 states and territories cleared under the $42.5 billion program. Illinois will spend $831 million of its $1.04 billion allocation, with planned fiber locations reduced from more than 117,000 to 97,000, fixed wireless locations raised to 33,600, and satellite locations cut to 11,500. Michigan signed contracts on August 26 with 17 of its 29 selected organizations for $917 million in federal funds and $558 million in provider matching funds, covering 116 projects and 197,964 locations. Each Michigan contract starts a four-year clock to substantially complete construction and begin service.
Why this matters: The approved plans identify where rural communities may receive new broadband connections and which providers will build them. Independent grocers and food-access groups in those locations may have better tools for online ordering, digital services, and customer connectivity once service begins.
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