<ol><li><strong>Don't be a carpetbagger.</strong> Don't swoop in with a team of lobbyists and a PowerPoint presentation to a local community meeting to advertise your product. Your outreach plan should embed a team member in the local community so that they can participate regularly in local neighborhood association meetings, for example. Be intentional and purposeful. Build relationships, not transactions.</li><li><strong>Listen.</strong> Take the time to understand that in many vulnerable communities, lack of broadband access, inclusion and equity are just a few of a whole litany of issues, such as affordable housing, access to quality education, and healthcare that they face.</li><li><strong>Acknowledge</strong> the depth, urgency and complexity of these other issues. (Unlike you, not everyone is thinking about BEAD grants!)</li><li><strong>Understand</strong> the depth of the concept of the digital divide, and what it really means. The issue is not just about physical infrastructure. It's also about education, opening windows to opportunity through training, workforce development and affordability. You can build the infrastructure, but if access to the infrastructure is not affordable either because pricing is too high, or end-users can't make the most of the opportunity through training and education to get a job, then it's a waste of grant money because the service will suffer from a lack of demand.</li></ol>

To gain local communities' trust, patience is key

Getting Started

<p>The<i><strong> Local Coordination</strong></i> module<i><strong> </strong></i>prepares you to apply for <a href="https://broadband.money/ntia-bead-nofo/notice-of-funding-opportunity" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BEAD broadband grants</a> – as well as several other broadband grant programs in one or more states – from a single application. You can use this application to create a model from which you can create different iterations for different states. This is your “application model.”<br>You can use your application model to conduct research &amp; development, explore your territory with easy-to-use geospatial tools, to prepare for local coordination, and to line up matching funds in order to win IIJA BEAD grants.</p><p>The BEAD NOFO requires states, territories, the District of Columbia and other eligible entities to adopt a “comprehensive local coordination approach” that should be included in their Five-Year-Plan submissions to the NTIA.&nbsp;</p><p>States, territories, the District of Columbia, and other eligible entities must document their local coordination and outreach activities to local governments, community groups, union and worker organizations, tribal governments and under-represented populations. These local groups will be key partners for providers looking to win IIJA broadband grant funding to serve these local communities. &nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Who is this for?</strong></h2><p>This section is intended for existing local providers interested in learning how to win IIJA BEAD grants. Whether you have definite plans already, or need to explore the possibilities, this module is for you – if you already own and/or operate a provider business in at least one state or territory. This section can be completed directly, or via your consultant (you’ll be able to invite them to your application model).</p><h2><strong>Get ready for state plans</strong></h2><p>NTIA has already supplied crystal clear guidance to all grantees (the states) in requirements for sub-grantees (the applicants). So it’s possible to get going on the fundamentals now.</p><p>State plans will be finalized and approved by NTIA within the year. Once states finalize their plans, applicants will be able to complete their applications with additional sections that deal with specific state-level requirements.</p><p><code>❕ TIP: It is perhaps a mistake to wait on states, since incumbents are already working out their application plans now.</code></p><h2><strong>Get setup for effective local coordination</strong></h2><p>In the <i><strong>Local Coordination</strong></i> module, you’ll be paired with great prospective partners. Communities searching for strong providers will find you through the profile you have set up in the <i><strong>Getting Ready for BEAD</strong></i> module.</p><h2><strong>What’s covered in this section?</strong></h2><ul><li>How to win local community leaders' trust in areas that are unserved or underserved</li><li>How to successfully start engaging with local communities that are unserved or underserved</li><li>How to successfully execute partnership plans once you've earned local communities' trust.</li></ul><h2>&nbsp;</h2>

Partner with great communities & providers to meet NTIA local coordination guidelines.

Lesson 1. Here Are The Keys To Succeed When Engaging With A Local Community

To gain local communities' trust, patience is key

Scott D. Woods

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