Gov. Greg Gianforte has approved $308 million in broadband deployment grants aimed at closing Montana’s digital divide, backing 32 projects that will extend high-speed internet to nearly 72,000 unserved and underserved locations across the state.
The funding recommendations were presented Tuesday by the state’s Communications Advisory Commission (CAC), which voted unanimously to advance the projects under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The awards are designed to ensure every remaining Montana household lacking reliable internet service is reached through a mix of fiber, fixed wireless, and low-earth orbit satellite technologies.
“Since taking office, we’ve worked with the Legislature to bridge the digital divide for unserved and underserved areas of Montana,” Gianforte said in a statement. “Thanks to the work of the Communications Advisory Commission and the Department of Administration, we have taken another step toward making Montana a national leader in Internet connectivity.”
The $308 million in projects must now be approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) before the Department of Administration’s Montana Broadband Office can release grant funds to awardees.
According to state officials, new federal guidance issued under the Trump administration allowed Montana to take a technology-neutral approach, giving project planners flexibility to reduce costs while maximizing coverage.
Department of Administration Director Misty Ann Giles called the approval a milestone in a years-long effort to bring BEAD dollars to Montana communities.
“This is a big step on what has already been a very long journey to deploy BEAD dollars in a cost-effective way to reach all 70,000-plus locations still in need of high-speed internet,” Giles said. “I know the Governor joins me when I say that this process would not have been possible without the incredible work of our Montana Broadband Office ConnectMT team and the dedication of the members of the Communication Advisory Committee and their unanimous support.”
The projects, once finalized, will represent the largest single broadband investment in Montana’s history, positioning the state to achieve near-universal connectivity ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.