New Hampshire is poised to accept $65 million in federal funding under the American Rescue Plan for broadband expansion. Government Technology reported that officials from 15 underserved towns urged the state’s Joint Fiscal Committee to “take the money.”
In July, the New Hampshire Executive Council and the committee decided to move forward with the first round of federal funding, totaling $50 million, to build broadband infrastructure in rural parts of the state. According to Government Technology, the NH Electric Cooperative is using the money to extend high-speed service to 23,000 customers, covering Grafton, Belknap, Carroll, Coos, Sullivan, and Merrimack counties.
Gov. Chris Sununu wants to see approval for the additional funds and see the state move fast to build broadband infrastructure. “With supply chain and interest rate concerns, we need to continue to move quickly to ensure we beat other states to the punch and secure the materials necessary to construct these projects,” he urged in a letter to the Joint Fiscal Committee.
Government Technology reported that two sets of figures comprise the $65 million pot. Funds include The Broadband Connect Program ($40 million) and The Broadband Matching Grant Initiative ($25 million).
Reader Interactions