New York’s Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP) request for applications has reopened and is making as much as $36 million available through the ConnectALL broadband office. The announcement was made by Governor Kathy Hochul.
Applications will be accepted through the end of April. Projects must be completed by the end of the year.
MIP’s mandate is to connect unserved and underserved communities to broadband through open access and publicly controlled broadband infrastructure. To date, it has provided $268 million in funding to projects in 24 counties. The program will lay more than 2,300 miles of new fiber infrastructure and create 68 wireless hubs. The projects will serve more than 96,000 homes and businesses.
“The Municipal Infrastructure Program is helping communities take control of their digital future by supporting locally driven broadband infrastructure projects that expand access, improve reliability, and promote competition,” Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said in a press release.
“This RFA builds on New York State’s commitment to closing the digital divide by investing in infrastructure that strengthens local networks and delivers long-term economic opportunity for communities across the state.”
Last fall, New York announced ConnectALL program commitments collectively worth $15.5 million for mobile service, broadband infrastructure, and other funding opportunities in the state. The biggest awards were for more than $10 million under the MIP program and the Affordable Housing Connectivity Program. The initiatives will be in Binghamton and in Allegany County.
The program also awarded $5.2 million to four projects under the Connectivity Innovation Program. The goal is to expand mobile service, close rural and urban coverage gaps, and create replicable models for future deployments, according to the press release.
Additional information about New York broadband, including state funding resources, awards made, BEAD news, state-specific coverage, and more can be found on the Telecompetitor Broadband Nation webpage for the state.
