Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative BEAD awards
Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative won $8.3 million in BEAD grants to serve 2,448 locations in Illinois, according to the state award lists below. These are wired builds, which means construction: placement, boring, splicing and drops.
Illinois
$8.3 million
Listed as RURAL ELECTRIC CONVENIENCE COOPERATIVE · 2,448 locations · Fiber · provider match $8.7 million · est. completion January 29, 2031 · about 222 mi buried + 617 mi aerial fiber (state estimate)
Source: Illinois Office of Broadband (DCEO), BEAD Final Proposal data files (final version) (retrieved 2026-09-23)
BEAD grants
$8.3 million
Locations
2,448
Grant per location
$3,411
Fiber miles (est.)
222 buried · 617 aerial
Latest completion
January 29, 2031
What this build needs from crews
- Underground, about 222 miles. Directional boring, plowing or trenching, conduit and handholes, then restoration. Locates come first on every foot (utility locating).
- Aerial, about 617 miles. Make-ready, strand and lash, and pole attachments (aerial fiber), usually with traffic control on the road.
- Splicing and drops. Every one of the 2,448 locations needs a drop and a splice at the end (fiber splicing).
How subs usually get on a BEAD build
- Find out who is building. Providers often hand construction to a prime or an engineering and construction firm, and those firms hire the subs.
- Get your paperwork ready before you call: certificate of insurance, W-9, safety program, and proof you can do the footage.
- Ask what the state's BEAD rules mean for subs. Workforce, safety and reporting requirements vary by state and are often passed down.
- Be findable. List your crew with the states and trades you cover, and watch fiber work on the board.
Other wired BEAD winners in Illinois
Wisper IspIL · $301.3 millionStrategic ManagementIL · $234.1 millionSurf Air WirelessIL · $52.1 millionSilo CommunicationsIL · $48.4 millionComcastIL · $45.4 millionCitizens Telecommunications Company of IllinoisIL · $17.6 millionGargoyle TechnologiesIL · $12.2 millionProtek CommunicationsIL · $10.7 million
Want to build for Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative?
Providers and their primes staff these builds with subcontractors. List your crew with the states and trades you cover so they can find you. Free.
Provisional awards can change as states finalize agreements. TrackOver isn't affiliated with Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative. All providers.