WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Getting on the internet is about to get easier for people across the north country.
U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced Friday a nearly $15 million grant to “significantly improve broadband access.”
The money will cover 340 miles in 12 northern New York counties: Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Hamilton, Essex, Herkimer, Oswego, Oneida, Onondaga, Fulton, and Montgomery.
Specifically, the grant is expected to help expand access to an estimated nearly 2,500 unserved homes and 280+ community institutions, such as fire stations, libraries, and health care providers across Upstate NY.
“Long before the pandemic, rural and urban communities across Upstate NY, and especially in the North Country, have struggled with access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet. When I led the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, I said it would be game changing for places like the North Country and now I am proud to deliver this major $14+ million investment to expand high-speed internet access for thousands of households, businesses and vital community anchors,” said Schumer, who represents New York in the U.S. Senate and is the Senate Majority Leader.
“Limited access to reliable high-speed internet makes it harder for kids to do their homework, for seniors to access telehealth appointments, and for workers to take advantage of remote employment opportunities,” Gillibrand said. “High-quality internet is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity for everyday life.”
The grant goes to the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC).
“We’re ecstatic about the news today. It is a great win for the north country,” DANC executive director Carl Farone Jr. said.
DANC and National Grid will team up to build new fiber optic infrastructure, enabling internet service providers to connect unserved and underserved Upstate New York communities with access to high-speed internet.
The grant will cover 60% of the total $24 million cost.
“National Grid is actually providing approximately 40% of the funding for this project,” said Farone.
Even after this project is complete, DANC says its work will be far from finished.
“What I tell folks is solving the digital divide in the north country it truly is a marathon, not a sprint. This is one step moving us forward,” said Farone.
DANC estimates it will finish the project within 3 years, but says it could wrap up within 2 if things go well.
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