(TNS) \u2014 The days of cell phone dead zones and Internet deserts across Ulster County could be coming to an end.<\/p>\n
Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger announced via press release on Thursday that Verizon is on tap to receive $20.8 million through New York State\u2019s ConnectALL Deployment Program to expand broadband access to nearly 1,300 unserved households, businesses, and community facilities located in more remote and less densely populated areas in Ulster County.<\/p>\n
The funding is part of a larger $391 million grant to the state under the federal Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program created in the 2022 Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act to expand high-speed Internet access in unserved and underserved areas of the country.<\/p>\n
In New York, the program is administered by the NYS ConnectALL Office and targets the final 1% of locations in the state without reliable Internet access, typically in more rural areas of the state.<\/p>\n
According to the release, the funding will enable Verizon to extend its point-to-point fiber optic network to eligible locations throughout the county.<\/p>\n
\u201cReliable broadband is a necessity in today\u2019s world for education, work, healthcare, public safety, and daily life,\u201d Metzger said in the release. \u201cThanks to the NYS ConnectALL award and Verizon\u2019s substantial match, nearly 1,300 homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions in rural Ulster County will finally be connected with reliable fiber optic service.\u201d<\/p>\n
Verizon has committed $40,938,790 to the project, bringing the total project funding to $61,799,320.<\/p>\n
Although the project needs final approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Assistant Deputy County Executive Amberly Campbell said the significant investment promised by Verizon puts the project at \u201cminimum risk\u201d of not getting approved.<\/p>\n
Campbell said the project could begin as early as January.<\/p>\n
Jenny Lee, chairman of the Citizens Commission for Digital Inclusion, said the announcement of the grant award was \u201ca proud moment for our Commission.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve worked hard to ensure that every location, no matter how remote, has a fair shot at digital access,\u201d she said. \u201cThe Internet touches every part of life \u2014 from employment to education to social connection \u2014 and this award levels the playing field for all. Our research showed that fiber optics was the optimal solution and that Verizon, with its existing infrastructure and workforce, was uniquely qualified to implement it. In addition, Verizon\u2019s match is critical to bringing this buildout to fruition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Comptroller March Gallagher, who established the commission in 2022, called the award \u201ca direct result of the Commission\u2019s meticulous mapping, unwavering community outreach, and tireless advocacy.\u201d<\/p>\n