A key SNA strategy is to facilitate the availability of low-cost, high-speed internet to unserved and underserved communities. The State of Viriginia’s allotment for BEAD funding is approximately $1.5B. Funding will be distributed based on current FCC broadband access maps. GTS has been collaborating with the Authority’s five member cities to research and develop GIS maps of unserved, underserved, economically disadvantaged areas, and community anchor institutions. Additionally, GTS and member cities developed marketing material to facilitate residents and others being able to effectively conduct the required “Speed Test” for updating broadband availability. This information will be used to challenge the current mapping used to allocate BEAD dollars (in conjunction with the State of Virginia’s BEAD challenge process) and identify potential BEAD projects. These projects may be regional in nature or City-centric. This teamwork resulted in SNA’s five member cities submitting 48% of all state challenges to current FCC broadband access maps.