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Ulster County, New York, is poised to receive significant funding to enhance broadband internet access. County Executive Jen Metzger announced that Verizon will receive nearly $21 million from New York State's ConnectALL Deployment Program. This initiative aims to provide high-speed internet to approximately 1,300 underserved homes, businesses, and community facilities in remote areas of the county.
The total investment for the project is expected to reach nearly $62 million, with Verizon contributing a $41 million match. The funding is part of a broader $391 million grant from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which was established under the 2022 Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act to expand internet access in underserved areas across the country.
According to Mid Hudson News, the project is awaiting final approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Assistant Deputy County Executive Amberly Campbell expressed confidence in the project's approval, citing Verizon's substantial investment as a mitigating factor for any risks.
Jenny Lee, chair of the Ulster County Citizens Commission for Digital Inclusion, emphasized the importance of digital access for all residents. "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," she said. The Daily Freeman reported that the project could begin as early as January.
The initiative is seen as a critical step in closing the digital divide in Ulster County, ensuring that even the most remote locations have reliable internet access.