The U.S. Department of the Treasury has awarded five states a total of $408 million from the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF) for broadband deployments. The fund supports capital projects that promote work, education, and health monitoring efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The newly supported projects will make broadband available to more than 90,000 homes and businesses. The grants::
- Arkansas was granted $47.5 million to connect about 5,500 homes and businesses by building high-speed internet service in rural and remote areas lacking reliable internet connections. The grant was made to Arkansas Rural Connect (ARC).
- Connecticut was granted $40.8 million to connect about 10,000 homes and businesses to affordable high-speed Internet by focusing on low-income and multi-family homes and businesses and areas lacking reliable high-speed internet connections. The grant was to Connecticut Broadband Infrastructure Program, a competitive grant program.
- Indiana was granted $187 million to connect about 50,349 homes and businesses to affordable, reliable high-speed internet services. The grant was made to Indiana’s Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program (NLC).
- Nebraska was granted $87.7 million to connect about 21,000 homes and businesses to affordable, reliable high-speed internet services. The grant was made to the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program.
- North Dakota was granted $45 million to connect about 3,965 homes and businesses to affordable, reliable high-speed internet service. The state will collaborate with tribal organizations to identify solutions to address specific connectivity needs.
The program, which is funded at $10 billion, was created in the American Rescue Plan Act. It is available to territories, freely associated states, and Tribal governments as well as states.
“The pandemic upended life as we knew it—from work to school to connecting with friends and family—and exposed the stark inequity in access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet in communities across the country, but especially in rural, Tribal, and low-income communities,” Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a press release about the Capital Projects Fund broadband grants. “This funding will lay the foundation for the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investments to increase access to high-speed internet and reduce broadband bills for American households and businesses.”
In June, the CPF awarded $357 million to support programs in Kansas, Maine, Maryland and Minnesota.
