American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

Around 100,000 Unserved Michigan Homes, Businesses to Connect to High-Speed Internet Through $238M in Initial Grant Recommendations

The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) announced its initial recommendations for the Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) grant program, which will provide $238 million in federal funding through the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF) to support the deployment of high-speed internet to approximately 100,000 unserved locations throughout the state.

Gov. Reynolds Announces $148 Million Broadband Grant Opportunity

Governor Reynolds and the Department of Management’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) announced a new broadband grant opportunity for internet service providers. $148,960,000 is available through Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program with funding from the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) administered by the US Department of Treasury.

Treasury Department Announces Awards in Montana and North Dakota to Expand Connectivity

The US Department of the Treasury approved $119.9 million in federal funds for broadband infrastructure projects in Montana and $68.3 million for multi-purpose community facility projects in North Dakota under the American Rescue Plan Act's (ARPA) Capital Projects Fund (CPF):

FCC Announces Over $21 Million in Emergency Connectivity Funding for Schools and Libraries

The Federal Communications Commission committed over $21 million in a new funding round through the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program, which provides digital services for students in communities across the country.

Gov. Kemp (GA) Announces Grant Funds to Expand High-Speed Internet Access in Four Counties

Governor Brian P. Kemp (R-GA) committed nearly $15 million in preliminary grant awards for broadband internet expansion through the second round of the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) Grant Program. These awards will improve connectivity for communities, households, businesses, and anchor institutions in four Georgia counties. When combined with significant capital matches from the awardees, almost $30 million will be invested to serve over 3,500 locations in areas most in need of high-speed internet access. The county awardees are as follows:

How 8 States Are Using Line Extension Programs to Connect Unserved Residents to Broadband

Over more than a decade, states have invested billions of dollars to extend broadband service to areas without high-speed internet. But now states are increasingly grappling with how to identify and connect unserved homes and businesses that are just out of reach of nearby last-mile infrastructure—the segment of a broadband network that connects a local internet service provider (ISP) to a customer—in areas that are otherwise served. Eight states—Califor

Did The Debt Ceiling Deal Clip Broadband Funding?

On June 3, President Joe Biden signed the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which suspends the debt ceiling through January 1, 2025—and increases the limit on January 2, 2025—while establishing new discretionary spending limits and rescinding certain unobligated funds.

West Virginia Gov. Justice Committs $18 Million for Statewide Broadband Improvement Projects

Governor Jim Justice (R-WV) announced the preliminary approval of more than $18 million for various broadband infrastructure projects throughout the state. The announcement includes applications received under the programs Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD), Major Broadband Project Strategies (MBPS), and Wireless Internet Networks (WIN). The programs are branches of Gov.

One Year In: Treasury Department’s Capital Projects Fund Connecting Nearly Two Million Families and Businesses

One year after announcing the first awards under the American Rescue Plan Act's (ARPA) Capital Projects Fund (CPF) in 2022, the US Department of the Treasury has awarded approximately $6.7 billion for broadband, digital technology, and multi-purpose community center projects in 42 states, which those states estimate will reach more than 1.88 million businesses, homes and other locations. These ARPA dollars are working in tandem with the In

Federal Broadband Funding Report: These Agencies Are Funding Internet for All (Part II)

On May 8, 2023, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth released its second annual report

Building Broadband Momentum in Berrien County

Berrien County’s 580 square miles encompasses 39 villages, townships, and cities. The county, situated on Lake Michigan’s eastern shore, is dominated by agriculture and tourism; many Chicago residents’ vacation homes are located here. A lack of broadband infrastructure in the county is actively threatening industrial innovation and hampering quality of life for residents as needs and demand for connectivity increase. As of today, the county has made substantial progress toward universal access within the community.

Bringing broadband to West Virginia is an uphill climb, experts say

About 27 percent of households in rural West Virginia currently lack access to 25/5 Mbps internet speeds. The US Department of the Treasury disbursed West Virginia’s $136.3 million in Capital Projects Funds (CPF) dollars in May 2023—and the entirety of the funding is going towards broadband access initiatives across the state. Since all broadband solutions throughout the state pose unique challenges because of topography, there is a case to lean into what is considered a superior solution anyway: fiber. “At this point, it’s as future-proof as you can get.

Closing the Digital Divide With the Affordable Connectivity Program

The federal government is in the process of deploying billions in broadband funding—including more than $80 billion in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars—to ensure that every American has access to reliable, high-speed internet. But even when infrastructure investments deliver network access to unserved and underserved communities, families won’t benefit unless they can afford internet service.

Federal Broadband Funding Report: These Agencies Are Funding Internet for All

On May 8, 2023, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth released its second annual report

Governor Ron DeSantis Awards $60 Million to 22 Projects Through the Broadband Opportunity Program

Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) announced $60 million in awards through the Broadband Opportunity Program to expand broadband Internet access in Florida’s unserved communities. These awards will support 22 projects in 19 Florida counties for broadband Internet expansion that will impact nearly 58,000 unserved residential, educational, agricultural, business and community locations. Including today’s awards, more than $226 million has been awarded to expand broadband Internet access across the state, helping to connect more than 250,000 homes and businesses.

FCC To Commit Over $15 Million for Emergency Connectivity Funding

The Federal Communications Commission committed over $15 million in a new funding round through the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program, which provides digital services for students in communities across the country.

Idaho Capital Projects Fund Broadband Grant Program Open Now

The Idaho Broadband Advisory Board (IBAB) and the Idaho Office of Broadband are now accepting grant applications for the Idaho Capital Projects Fund (CPF) Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program. The Idaho Broadband Advisory Board and the State of Idaho seek to fund broadband projects across the state that assist with or improve distance learning, telehealth, telework, and public safety.

Treasury Department Approves of Federal Funds to Connect Over 47,300 Mississippians

The US Department of the Treasury approved the use of $151.5 million for high-speed internet projects in Mississippi under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Capital Projects Fund (CPF). Mississippi is approved to receive $151.5 million for broadband infrastructure projects, which the state estimates will connect approximately 47,300 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet.

FCC Commits Over $12 Million in Emergency Connectivity Funding

The Federal Communications Commission committed over $12 million in a new funding round through the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program, which provides digital services for students in communities across the country.

‘No silver bullet’: Mesa tackles digital equity from multiple sides

When scanning the Federal Communications Commission’s latest broadband maps for funding opportunities, city staff in Mesa, Arizona, struggled to find places that still needed access. Mesa’s diverse geography includes older neighborhoods that lacked modern internet services as well as new developments with high-speed fiber.

Broadband service coming to more towns, boosting New Hampshire's economy

About $115 million in federal funds will spread broadband internet to rural areas around New Hampshire in the coming years, improving people's lives and boosting the state's economy. "By the time we get done with these resources (in late 2026), we do expect to have a very significant portion of the unserved and underserved locations in the state up to speed and online," Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. Caswell participated in an announcement of $50 million in federal funding to the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative.

Missouri Offers $20 Million in Funding for Cell Towers

The final guidelines for the $20 million Missouri Cell Tower Grant Program have been released by the state’s Department of Economic Development (DED). The state will begin accepting applications in the funding program on Friday, May 26, 2023, and eligible entities have until July 25, 2023, to submit their applications. The program is being funded through the US Department of the Treasury Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF), which is part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

How State Broadband Offices Are Using Initial Dollars from Capital Projects Fund

States are implementing a variety of strategies as they allocate the initial rounds of federal Capital Projects Fund (CPF) dollars to help expand access to broadband services. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has officially released more than half of the CPF dollars, with $6 billion awarded to 40 states as of May 2023.

US Treasury Releases Final Version of SLFRF/CPF Supplemental Broadband Guidance

The US Treasury Department has released the final version of important compliance guidance applicable to broadband projects funded through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) or Capital Project Fund (CPF) awards.