Broadband expansion grants approved to provide high-speed internet access to thousands
Grants totaling more than $158 million have been approved by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board to bring reliable and affordable high-speed internet service to some 28,000 homes and businesses in Oklahoma.
Grants totaling more than $158 million have been approved by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board to bring reliable and affordable high-speed internet service to some 28,000 homes and businesses in Oklahoma.
Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act Capital Projects Fund (ARPA CPF), the board gave unanimous approval to 50 grants with 12 internet service providers (ISPs) for projects in 28 counties at a meeting on Thursday afternoon. The grants will be coupled with more than $109 million in matching funds from the ISPs.
Dr. Jim Meek, board chair, praised the work of the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) and the internet service community.
“The partnership between the broadband office and our internet service providers has been essential in advancing vital projects for communities across the state,” Meek said. “These grants will significantly enhance access to high-speed internet, improving economic opportunities and quality of life for tens of thousands of Oklahomans.” This is the second tranche of broadband grant funding approved by the board this year. Total awards from ARPA CPF and ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds now top $500 million and will result in high-speed internet access to more than 66,000 locations in 57 of the state’s 77 counties.
OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders said the hard work administering the two ARPA grant programs is paying off and data show it will provide service to almost 40 percent of the unserved and underserved homes and businesses in the state.
“These investments are a game changer for communities that have for far too long been left behind in the digital age,” Sanders said. “We’re moving closer to ensuring that every Oklahoman has access to the high-speed internet essential for success in today’s world.”
This week’s grant awards will be followed by the final and largest broadband infrastructure program to be administered by the OBO. The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program will provide more than $750 million in grants to further expand highspeed interest service throughout the state.
