Governor Hochul Announces $52.6 Million in Broadband Infrastructure Awards

Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) announced 15 broadband infrastructure awards through the Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP), Affordable Housing Connectivity Program (AHCP), and Deployment Program County Partnerships totaling $52.6 million. These awards will directly connect 6,900 locations across the state, including 24,000 total households, businesses, and anchor institutions, with 19,000 of those being affordable housing units, and build 234 miles of new fiber infrastructure and 46 new wireless hubs. The $52.6 million in awards will support long-term economic development across 28 counties and the internet service will improve affordability so all residents can participate in the digital economy. The broadband internet service in some cases will be as low as $10 per month and in all cases will include high-speed options below the regional average prices. These projects build on a foundation of prior investment by ConnectALL, which has previously awarded more than $13 million in AHCP grants connecting more than 12,000 affordable housing units, and $242.5 million in MIP grants bringing high-speed internet to an additional 105,000 households across the state. Funded by the US Department of Treasury, these initiatives reflect a targeted state and federal partnership that aims to accelerate progress toward universal connectivity and ensure that all New Yorkers have access to reliable, affordable internet.

The Municipal Infrastructure Program builds critical broadband infrastructure through public-private partnerships, focusing on expanding access in underserved rural areas.

• Southern Tier Network MIP Expansion (Southern Tier) – $1,363,264: STN will extend its existing middle mile network by building a high-capacity, open-access fiber line connecting to the Phase 1 network in Newark Valley, improving service reliability and supporting ISPs delivering affordable broadband to rural and underserved areas.
• Madison County (Central New York) – $9,928,784: Madison County will partner with Empire Access to build 120 miles of fiber connecting more than 2,600 homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions. By leveraging existing USDA ReConnect contracts with 20% designated as open-access fiber for other providers, the County will extend service to rural and agricultural communities with limited high-speed service options.
• Wyoming County (Finger Lakes) – $15,682,943: Wyoming County and Community Broadband Networks will partner on two projects; the first will construct a 36-mile fiber optic backbone connecting approximately 100 locations supporting Fiber-to-the-Home service, with capacity to support further last-mile expansions from multiple internet service providers; the second will deploy 20 fixed wireless Points of Presence reaching more than 1,900 locations. POPs will be installed on utility poles, custom masts, and municipal assets like water towers to deliver broad public benefit.
• ErieNet Local Development Corporation (Western New York) – $5,088,381: Erie County will utilize funds to extend their open-access middle-mile network 42 miles to serve 82 additional community anchor institutions providing essential life and safety protection in Erie County, including police, fire, emergency management services and community centers owned by the municipalities of City of Buffalo, City of Lackawanna, and Erie County Public Safety.

The Affordable Housing Connectivity Program provides high-speed internet access to affordable and public housing properties, ensuring digital equity for low-income residents. Awards have been announced to two grantees: Flume Internet and Community Broadband Networks, across the following regions:

• Greater Rochester (Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne, Yates Counties) – $4,063,313: Community Broadband Networks will deploy hybrid fiber-fixed wireless networks to affordable and public housing properties in Greater Rochester, offering service at $10/month and Gigabit service at $30/month for 10+ years.
• Greater Albany (Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie Counties) – $3,364,105: Community Broadband Networks will deploy hybrid fiber-fixed wireless networks to affordable and public housing properties in Greater Albany, offering service at $10/month and Gigabit service at $30/month for 10+ years.
• Brooklyn (Kings County) – $2,979,787: Flume Internet will deploy hybrid fiber-fixed wireless networks to affordable and public housing properties in Brooklyn, offering service at $10/month and Gigabit service at $30/month for 10+ years.
• Greater Buffalo (Erie, Niagara Counties) – $2,849,775: Community Broadband Networks will deploy hybrid fiber-fixed wireless networks to affordable and public housing properties in Greater Buffalo, offering service at $10/month and Gigabit service at $30/month for 10+ years.
• Greater Syracuse (Onondaga, Oswego, Madison Counties) – $2,748,215: Community Broadband Networks will deploy hybrid fiber-fixed wireless networks to affordable and public housing properties in Greater Syracuse, offering service at $10/month and Gigabit service at $30/month for 10+ years.
• Manhattan (New York County) – $1,299,485: Flume Internet will deploy hybrid fiber-fixed wireless networks to affordable and public housing properties in Manhattan, offering service at $10/month and Gigabit service at $30/month for 10+ years.
• Greater Ithaca (Tompkins County) – $1,012,456: Community Broadband Networks will deploy hybrid fiber-fixed wireless networks to affordable and public housing properties in Greater Ithaca, offering service at $10/month and Gigabit service at $30/month for 10+ years.
• Lower Hudson (Westchester, Rockland Counties) – $929,662: Community Broadband Networks will deploy hybrid fiber-fixed wireless networks to affordable and public housing properties in Westchester and Rockland Counties, offering service at $10/month and Gigabit service at $30/month for 10+ years.
• City of Geneva (Ontario County) – $203,663: Community Broadband Networks will deploy hybrid fiber-fixed wireless networks to affordable and public housing properties in Geneva, offering service at $10/month and Gigabit service at $30/month for 10+ years.

The County Partnership Infrastructure Awards support local broadband deployment through strategic partnerships with counties and private providers.

• Albany County (Capital District) – $1,022,608: Albany County is partnering with Archtop Fiber and State Telephone to deliver reliable, high-speed internet to more than 100 locations in the county.