Oklahoma Capital Projects Fund 2.0 Seeks to Bring Broadband to 766 Locations

The Oklahoma Broadband Office has opened funding for the Capital Projects Fund 2.0, which will aim to serve 766 locations that remain unserved. The window will run through November 17, when the application portal will close. The Oklahoma funding notice says eligible applicants are cooperatives, electric utilities, and other entities that build or operate broadband networks, partnerships and consortium. Applicants must plan to serve all locations. A funding alert says that there is no maximum award and that broadband service providers should submit their “best and final offer.” It also lists eligible costs:

• Grant preparation costs
• Cost of repair, rehabilitation, construction, improvement, and acquisition of real property, equipment, and facilities 
• Cost of long-term leases necessary to provide service 
• Personnel costs 
• Costs necessary to operationalize and put the capital assets to full use, including broadband adoption and digital literacy efforts 
• Expenses related to compliance reporting and performance management 

The program is part of the American Rescue Plan Act.