Aervivo, Comcast Cable Communications Management and Greenfield Community Energy Technology have been approved for more than $6 million in awards to upgrade broadband in 3,512 public and affordable housing units across nine Massachusetts communities.
The awards, totaling $6,326,054, are being funded by the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund, which is part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The awards were made by the state and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s (MBI) Residential Retrofit Program. MBI is part of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech).
The funds will be used to modernize cabling and otherwise increase residents’ access to high-quality and affordable broadband.
The awards are as follows:
- Aervivo was awarded $726,989 for five project groups in New Bedford, Pittsfield, Somerville, and Springfield. The largest was for 455 units for the Somerville Housing Authority at Mystic River/Mystic View.
- Comcast was awarded $5,099,545 in Boston, Cambridge, East Boston, Haverhill, Lowell, Somerville, and Springfield. The largest was for 421 units at various locations for Carr Property management.
- Greenfield was awarded one project for 105 units in Greenfield for the Schochet Company.
“Today’s investments complement MBI’s existing digital equity programs across the state,” MBI Director Michael Baldino said in the announcement. “These grants will build upon previous efforts to expand free Wi-Fi in public apartment buildings and digital navigator programs that are helping vulnerable populations get onto the internet safely and with confidence.”
In late October, MBI awarded $1.33 million to 19 communities in 19 municipalities.
Those Massachusetts broadband awards were to Adams ($64,303), Charlton ($84,990.87), Cheshire ($9,040), Easthampton ($99,515), Fairhaven ($54,675.02), Florida ($23,100), Greenfield ($80,679.60), Lanesborough ($53,626.45), Lynn ($100,000), Montague ($26,110), New Bedford ($85,000.04), North Adams ($60,291.08), Peabody ($95,041), Pittsfield ($99,972), Randolph ($71,688), Sandwich ($64,893.95), Somerville ($99,886.56), Watertown ($61,151.06), and Worcester ($100,000).
Additional information about Massachusetts broadband, including links to state funding resources, previous awards made, state specific Telecompetitor coverage and more, can be found on the Telecompetitor Broadband Nation webpage for the state.
