| Photo by Nordwood Themes on Unsplash
HARTFORD, CT—Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Energy (DEEP) have announced the release of $28 million under the first round of the state’s ConneCTed Communities Grant Program.
These grants, administered by DEEP, will support the buildout of broadband infrastructure in more than half of Connecticut’s communities. According to DEEP, 88 cities and towns in the state, including 26 on the state’s Distressed Municipalities list, will benefit from the grants under this initial round.
The funding comes from Connecticut’s portion of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Capital Project Fund dollars, which are designed to support access to high-speed internet by funding infrastructure projects that will support universal access to affordable, resilient, and reliable broadband. A total of $40.8 million is available for this program.
“The expansion of broadband infrastructure will make Connecticut’s towns and cities stronger, more resilient, and better positioned to engage in today’s increasingly digitized world,” Lamont said. “Awarding these funds is a critical step in the crucial push to make broadband more widely available.”
DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said, “Broadband is a necessary part of daily life, and bringing high-speed internet access to every community in the state is essential for our future.” “The ConneCTed Communities Grant Program was developed to reach every unserved and underserved location in the state,” she explained, “preparing our communities with the infrastructure they’ll need in the years to come.”
Another $12.8 million in grants is expected to be distributed in the second round of funding. The application period for the second round opened on October 1, 2024, and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are expended in advance of the December 2026 ARPA funding deadline. The second round will continue to support infrastructure buildouts and include support services for multi-dwelling units in distressed municipalities. DEEP hosted a webinar for interested governmental agencies, nonprofits, community organizations, municipalities, and internet service providers earlier last week.
–-With Jay Domingo/PDM