en.Wedoany.com Reported - Empire State Development, New York State's economic development agency, announced over $8.3 million in grants through the ConnectALL program to support broadband access, affordability, and digital equity across the state. This funding includes more than $3.8 million from the federally funded Municipal Infrastructure Program, nearly $4 million from the state-funded Connectivity Innovation Business Model Innovation Awards, and nearly $600,000 from the state-funded Regional and Local Assistance Program.

These investments aim to support innovative models for providing affordable internet services to low-income and rural communities, extend broadband access to over 21,000 locations in Genesee County, and assist local governments in planning and implementing long-term strategies to improve connectivity.

Hope Knight, President, CEO, and Commissioner of Empire State Development, stated that the ConnectALL program is advancing Governor Hochul's commitment to closing the digital divide by supporting the necessary infrastructure, partnerships, and innovative models to expand affordable, reliable broadband across New York State. These grants will help communities test new ways to connect, serve thousands of households and businesses, and support essential local planning to ensure every New Yorker can participate in the digital economy.

The largest award under the Municipal Infrastructure Program was granted to NSN Genesee LLC, amounting to $3,841,108.36. NSN Genesee LLC will partner with Genesee County to deploy a fixed wireless network covering approximately 21,575 locations within about 450 square miles. The project will utilize county-owned towers, with NSN Genesee LLC owning, designing, building, and operating the network, providing symmetrical internet service at rates as low as $25 per month to this predominantly rural county. Cornell Cooperative Extension will support project outreach through digital literacy training and enrollment assistance.

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