Federally Funded State Grant Program – Made Possible Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Schumer Championed – Will Provide Grants to Local Government and Private Partners for New Fiber Construction Projected to Connect Tens of Thousands of Homes Statewide
Governor Also Announces Completion of $10 Million Municipal Infrastructure Pilot Projects Connecting More Than 3,000 Homes in North Country and Southern Tier Regions to High-Speed Internet
Builds on Governor Hochul’s $1 Billion Commitment for Affordable, Equitable and Accessible Internet for All New Yorkers Through ConnectALL
Request for Applications Available Here
Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and House of Representatives Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries today announced that New York State has been awarded $228.2 million in federal funding to launch New York’s ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program and connect tens of thousands of homes statewide to high-speed broadband internet. In addition, Governor Hochul announced the completion of New York's Municipal Infrastructure pilot projects connecting more than 3,000 homes in four upstate communities to high-speed internet. The announcements build on Governor Hochul and Majority Leader Schumer’s efforts to connect all New Yorkers to high-speed internet, particularly in areas currently unserved or underserved by broadband, and help New Yorkers across the state participate in a 21st century economy.
“New York’s ConnectALL initiative is delivering high-speed internet to thousands of families statewide, and this transformative federal investment will help us keep even more New Yorkers connected,” Governor Hochul said. “Access to affordable, reliable broadband keeps New Yorkers working, empowers our students, and connects families to critical benefits and services, and I thank the Biden administration, Majority Leader Schumer, and the New York delegation for their partnership in our mission to give all New Yorkers the tools they need to thrive.”
Senate Majority Leader Schumer said, “Over $228 million is on the way from the feds to help rural and underserved communities across New York install the last mile of broadband infrastructure needed to help thousands of homes finally get high-speed internet. This is how we can close the digital divide in Upstate NY-- by making sure high-speed internet reaches corner of the state regardless of zip code. Broadband is not a luxury, it is a necessity, a utility as vital as electricity for success in our modern economy to ensure people can stay connected, have access to healthcare, jobs, and school. This is only the latest in hundreds of millions in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law that is helping the Empire State lead the nation in closing the digital divide. I am proud to work with Governor Hochul to help put these federal dollars to help bring affordable and equitable high-speed internet for all New Yorkers.”
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, “In New York and throughout America, there are far too many under-resourced communities without the ability to connect online and engage with family, work, school and telemedicine. Last Congress, working with President Biden, House Democrats passed the American Rescue Plan, which saved the economy from a deep recession and enacted life-changing policies. Democrats then passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to ensure that every community nationwide has access to high-speed internet and invested $65 billion to expand broadband access. I thank Governor Hochul, Leader Schumer and the New York congressional delegation for their work in bringing high-speed internet to every single New Yorker.”
Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said, “The pandemic upended life as we knew it and exposed the stark inequity in access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet in communities across the country. This funding is a key piece of the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investments to increase access to high-speed internet for millions of Americans and provide more opportunities to fully participate and compete in the 21st century economy.”
Funding for ConnectALL’s Municipal Infrastructure Program has been awarded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the American Rescue Plan’s Capital Projects Fund – which was championed by Majority Leader Schumer. ConnectALL will make grants to public entities, local or Tribal governments, municipal utilities, utility cooperatives, and their private sector partners to construct new fiber to the premises for tens of thousands of properties statewide. Broadband infrastructure in the Municipal Infrastructure Program will be owned by a public entity or publicly controlled and Internet Service Providers will use the new broadband infrastructure to provide New Yorkers with affordable, high quality service options. The request for applications is now available on the ConnectALL website.