$4.6 Million In State Grants To Help Fund Local Broadband Expansion Projects

ALBANY, 03/05/13 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today announced that three broadband expansion projects in the 51st senate district will receive critically important state funds through the Connect NY Broadband Grant Program.

“Reliable, affordable broadband service is extremely important on several fronts. If we are to support our rural areas, and facilitate jobs and economic opportunity, we have to ensure the availability of this important technology,” said Senator Seward.  “These Connect NY grants mean new possibilities for businesses, schools and homes throughout the 51st senate district.”

The Connect NY program was designed to leverage existing networks which have been built by incumbent broadband providers, through private investments, other state and federal funding sources. An important component to the selection of projects was avoiding “overbuilds,” ensuring project strategies leveraged existing network assets and requiring a comprehensive strategy to utilize broadband after projects were completed. 

“I was extremely pleased to offer my support throughout the grant application process and congratulate the local leaders in business, education, economic development and government that produced the winning applications,” Senator Seward added.

Statewide a total of $25 million was awarded for 18 broadband projects based on the endorsement of the Regional Councils.

The local broadband projects selected as Connect NY grant recipients are as follows:

$558,940 Otsego County Wireless Network

This project with the County of Otsego IDA will serve Otsego County. The Otsego County Wireless Network will partner with a last-mile provider to leverage a county-wide, open access fiber backbone to deploy last-mile, wireless broadband to 24 towns, 9 villages and 1 city in Otsego County, serving approximately 28,000 households, 4,500 businesses and 300 community anchor institution locations. The wireless network will also be made available to any viable organization or service provider that wishes to use it. 

$1,800,000 MTC Broadband Buildout

The MARK Project Inc. will serve municipalities in the Capital District, Mohawk Valley and the Southern Tier. The project will deliver telecommunications services, including broadband, voice and video services, to 900 residents, businesses, and anchor institutions within the unserved areas of the towns of Conesville, Gilboa, Halcott, Middletown, and Roxbury. The project will also offer broadband connectivity to community anchor institutions within the service area free of charge. 

$2,216,000 Tompkins and Cayuga Counties Last Mile Coverage

This project with Clarity Connect Inc. is a multi-region project serving the Central New York and Southern Tier regions. This project leverages existing tower infrastructure to provide broadband services to the unserved portions of the Towns of Ulysses, Enfield, Newfield, Danby, Groton, Lansing, Ledyard, Genoa, Venice, Scipio, Niles, Sempronius, and Summerhill in Cayuga and Tompkins County. The project will also upgrade DSL services increasing existing speeds. 

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