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For their Initial Proposals, Eligible Entities were required to document their outreach to local entities and Tribes. Local coordination, as the funding rules state, promotes “alignment of priorities between Eligible Entity and local and Tribal officials and helps ensure visibility of local needs and preferences.”

During the selection process, states may choose to award additional points to applicants who demonstrate local coordination and Tribal outreach in their applications. Applicants will need to provide letters of support to demonstrate success in this category. 

Some states with significant Tribal presence also require applicants to document coordination and obtain consent from Tribal governments, especially for projects that cross Tribal land. 

Questions to ask before you start your application

If your state awards points for local coordination, what specific information is required?

  • Most states will ask applicants for at least one letter of support, but this may differ depending on the state and type of project. 
  • Projects in coordination with Tribal governments will likely require additional information. 

Who can you ask to provide a letter of support?

  • The best letters of support come from local leaders and institutions with a granular perspective on community challenges, such as:
    • County or town managers, administrators, and IT directors. 
    • Community anchor institutions (CAIs) such as libraries, schools, or Head Start programs.
    • Major employers, small businesses, and nonprofits.
    • Public safety entities.
    • Regional economic development organizations.

Strategies for success in this category

Take proactive steps to ensure the letter gets back to you.

  • Give the entity enough time to adequately respond to your request.
  • Provide a template letter that an entity can easily edit to add their letterhead and signature.
  • Offer to pick up hard copies of the letter.
  • Keep a well-organized list of entities you have approached, and note whether they have returned the letter.

Demonstrate a wide range of institutional support by asking for letters from more than one type of organization or entity in the community.

Share basic information about the deployment plan so the community gets excited about it and can write informed letters.

If you have conducted speed surveys or interest surveys, share those individually when you submit your application to show the scale of outreach.

If your state has not chosen to emphasize local coordination, still consider talking with local leaders and CAIs. Robust engagement might generate more support from the local community and reveal other opportunities.

 

Questions? Get in touch. 

If you have any additional questions or would like help with your BEAD application, please contact us.