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Grant Funding

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McCall-Thomas Engineering specializes in delivering grant management services to support the development of broadband infrastructure, power delivery, electric load, and energy savings in South Carolina and surrounding states.

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These services are provided by an experienced staff dedicated to the oversight and management of grants for broadband, power, and electrical projects.  The McCall-Thomas Engineering team provides consulting, planning, analysis, project management and reliable solutions for all aspects of deployment. With nearly 80 years of engineering and technical services, we provide quality service to help close the digital divide and power growth in your community.

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Our team will provide responsive support connecting you to funding opportunities and manage all aspects of compliance and closeout. Allow us to assist in the application process along with meeting deadlines throughout the completion of the grant program.  We will ensure compliance under the grant requirements and conditions.
 

Funding Opportunities:

State Broadband Funding 

Newsroom

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Aggregated industry news from:

Recent Grant and Funding Release:

Broadband: Latest updates on grants and funding programs

National Policy Shifts & Federal Program Updates

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1. BEAD Program Under Review

  • Overview: The $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, initially focused on fiber-optic infrastructure, is undergoing a federal review.

  • Potential Changes: The review may shift the program towards a "tech-neutral" approach, potentially favoring satellite internet providers like Starlink.

  • Concerns: Critics argue that this shift could divert up to $20 billion from fiber projects, leading to slower and less reliable internet services in rural areas. The Verge

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2. Digital Equity Act Funding Termination

  • Action Taken: The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate the Digital Equity Act, labeling it as "racist."

  • Impact: This decision halts funding for programs aimed at providing digital access and literacy training to underserved communities, leaving many local organizations in uncertainty. AP News

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State-Level Grant Announcements & Updates​

South Carolina​

Digital Workforce Initiative

  • Announcement: The South Carolina Broadband Office issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Digital Workforce Initiative.

  • Application Window: May 1–16, 2025.

  • Purpose: To support statewide digital workforce development programs. Telecompetitor

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Comcast Network Expansion in Greenwood

  • Project Completion: Comcast completed a network expansion in Greenwood, SC.

  • Funding: The project was supported by $6.1 million in public funding, including American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. Broadband Communities

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North Carolina​

Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) Program

  • May 16, 2025: Governor Josh Stein announced a $48 million investment to connect 14,514 households and businesses in 22 counties.

  • April 29, 2025: An additional $63 million was allocated to connect 18,889 locations across 30 counties.

  • April 15, 2025: Over $41 million awarded to connect 11,816 households and businesses in 17 counties. Broadband Breakfast+4governor.nc.gov+4BPR+4governor.nc.govncbroadband.gov

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Georgia

BEAD Program

  • Funding: Georgia is set to receive over $1.3 billion in federal broadband funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.

  • Application Window: Opened in December 2024 and closed on January 15, 2025. Broadband Breakfast

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Florida

Office of Broadband Grant Registration Portal

 

Wire 3 Fiber Expansion

  • Investment: Wire 3 announced a $75 million investment to enhance fiber-optic services throughout central Florida.

  • Date: May 30, 2025. Broadband Breakfast

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Virginia

Virginia Make Ready Initiative (VMRI)

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Alabama

BEAD Program

  • Funding: Alabama opened applications for $1.4 billion in broadband infrastructure grants through the BEAD Program.

  • Application Window: April 7–May 22, 2025.

  • Eligibility: Projects targeting unserved (below 25/3 Mbps) and underserved (25/3 to 100/20 Mbps) areas.

  • March Requirement: A minimum 25% funding match is required, with additional points awarded for higher matches. Government Market News+3Brander Group+3Telecompetitor+3

Energy: Renewable energy initiatives and funding announcements

Major Federal Funding Changes

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1. Cancellation of $3.7 Billion in Clean Energy Grants

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2. DOE's Policy Shift and Office Restructuring

  • Office Closure: The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, established under the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, is being shut down.

  • Policy Changes:

Impacts on Carbon Capture and Decarbonization Efforts

  • Permit Decline: Applications for carbon dioxide storage permits have decreased by 50% compared to the same period in 2024, marking the lowest activity since 2022.

  • Project Viability: Analysts forecast that 35% of the planned 152 million metric tons of carbon capture capacity by 2035 may be canceled due to funding uncertainties and regulatory bottlenecks. Financial Times

New Compliance Requirements for Grant Recipients

  • Data Requests: On May 15, 2025, the DOE issued extensive data requests to 179 projects to ensure financial and regulatory compliance.

  • Deadlines:

    • ​Award recipients must respond with all requested information by June 16, 2025.

    • Failure to comply may result in project termination or withholding of funding. Holland & Knight

Additional Funding Opportunities

  • Renewable Chemicals Initiative

  • Rural Energy for America Program (REAP):

    • ​Status: Closed for Fiscal Year 2025 grant applications; however, guaranteed loan applications remain open. Rural Development

Utility: Energy efficiency grants and large-scale projects

Federal Utility Funding and Policy Updates
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1. Trump Administration Proposes $19.3 Billion Cut to DOE Budget

  • Overview: The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 includes significant reductions to the Department of Energy's funding, particularly targeting programs established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

  • Specific Cuts:

    • $15.2 billion from IIJA funding

    • ​$2.6 billion from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

    • $1.1 billion from the Office of Science

    • ​$389 million from the Office of Environmental Management

  • Justification: The administration aims to eliminate funding for what it terms "Green New Scam" initiatives, focusing instead on traditional energy sources. Utility Dive+1Office of Science+1

National Utility Funding Opportunities​

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Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

  • Status: Closed for Fiscal Year 2025 grant applications; however, guaranteed loan applications remain open.

  • Purpose: To assist agricultural producers and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems and improving energy efficiency.

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