NEW YORK STATE (WRGB) — Governor Kathy Hochul announced 15 broadband infrastructure awards through the Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP), Affordable Housing Connectivity Program (AHCP), and Deployment Program County Partnerships totaling $52.6 million, on Thursday. These awards will directly connect 6,900 locations across the state, including 24,000 total households, businesses, and anchor institutions, with 19,000 of those being affordable housing units, and build 234 miles of new fiber infrastructure and 46 new wireless hubs.
“New York State is leading the nation in closing the digital divide once and for all,” Governor Hochul said. “Today’s $52 million in awards represents our commitment to connecting communities that need it most. In today’s economy, broadband isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity for education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and full participation in modern life.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Expanding broadband access strengthens New York’s economy and improves quality of life. These awards will help to connect more than 24,000 households — including affordable housing residents — with high-speed service. By giving small businesses the tools to grow, students and workers the ability to succeed, and families access to critical services, we are building stronger, more connected communities across the state.”
Senator Charles Schumer said, “Access to high-speed internet is not a luxury, but a necessity, a utility as vital as electricity for everyday life. Today, New York State takes a leap towards closing the digital divide. I’m proud to deliver millions in federal funding to help expand broadband infrastructure to boost affordable, high-quality internet access for over 24,000 homes and businesses across NY. This will help communities in 28 counties in every corner of NY from Buffalo and Albany to rural parts of the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier. It will help families stay connected to education, to healthcare, economic opportunity, and each other. When I led the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, I made sure there was funding for long term investments like this that would create good paying jobs helping build the 21st century infrastructure needed to make high-speed internet reach every corner of the state. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s work putting these federal dollars to work to ensure all New Yorkers get the equitable access to the internet that they deserve.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Affordable and high-speed internet should be accessible to all New Yorkers, regardless of background. Investing in broadband infrastructure is critical for children to receive high-quality education, seniors to access telehealth services, and workers to engage in the digital economy. I am proud that this nearly $53 million investment will help connect communities across our state, and I will continue fighting for more funding that closes the digital divide once and for all.”
Representative Jerrold Nadler said, “Access to reliable, high-speed internet is essential for every New Yorker, no matter their zip code or income. I welcome Governor Hochul’s announcement of over one million dollars to help close the digital divide so all Manhattan families can stay connected to each other and the world. As I did with the American Rescue Plan, I will always fight to make sure New Yorkers get the reliable, high-speed internet they need to succeed.”
Representative Paul Tonko said, “Over the past several years, I’ve been proud to lead the charge in Congress to expand broadband here in New York and nationwide. That’s because internet access is not a luxury — it’s a necessity for families, businesses, and communities here in our Capital Region and across our state. These investments will help ensure that New Yorkers of all income levels can stay better connected to their jobs, their schools, and their loved ones, while strengthening the very fabric of our communities. I’m thrilled to join Governor Hochul in celebrating this important step forward in our efforts to bring critical infrastructure improvements to the families who need them most.”
The $52.6 million in awards will support long-term economic development across 28 counties and the internet service will improve affordability so all residents can participate in the digital economy. The broadband internet service in some cases will be as low as $10 per month and in all cases will include high-speed options below the regional average prices.
These projects build on a foundation of prior investment by ConnectALL, which has previously awarded more than $13 million in AHCP grants connecting more than 12,000 affordable housing units, and $242.5 million in MIP grants bringing high-speed internet to an additional 105,000 households across the state. Funded by the US Department of Treasury, these initiatives reflect a targeted state and federal partnership that aims to accelerate progress toward universal connectivity and ensure that all New Yorkers have access to reliable, affordable internet.
Assemblymember Steve Otis said, “New York State has led the nation in developing innovative programs to provide broadband access in neglected rural, suburban, and urban areas. This announcement is especially exciting with the focus on providing access to affordable and public housing complexes that are the types of facilities often left out of high-speed broadband access many take for granted. Special recognition for this important work goes to Governor Kathy Hochul, ESD President and Commissioner Hope Knight, and ConnectALL Chair Josh Breitbart for their leadership in making sure underserved New Yorkers gain access. As Chair of the Assembly Science and Technology Committee, I know that both houses of the Legislature have been partners in this work.”
The Municipal Infrastructure Program builds critical broadband infrastructure through public-private partnerships, focusing on expanding access in underserved rural areas.
The Affordable Housing Connectivity Program provides high-speed internet access to affordable and public housing properties, ensuring digital equity for low-income residents. Awards have been announced to two grantees: Flume Internet and Community Broadband Networks, across multiple regions in the state. In the Greater Albany area (Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie Counties), $3,364,105 will go to Community Broadband Networks to deploy hybrid fiber-fixed wireless networks to affordable and public housing properties in Greater Albany, offering service at $10/month and Gigabit service at $30/month for 10+ years.
The County Partnership Infrastructure Awards support local broadband deployment through strategic partnerships with counties and private providers. In the Capital District, Albany County is partnering with Archtop Fiber and State Telephone to deliver reliable, high-speed internet to more than 100 locations in the county, with $1,022,608.
Governor Hochul has made expanding broadband access a cornerstone of her administration’s efforts to create a more equitable New York. Through the ConnectALL initiative, New York State is investing more than $1 billion to transform the state’s digital infrastructure, enhance competition among providers, and ensure that every New Yorker has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. To date, ConnectALL has overseen the successful launch and implementation of several programs to advance broadband access.