This week in broadband builds: Local service providers win in another Minnesota broadband funding round; Verizon, GoNetspeed pick up grants in Rhode Island; C Spire expands fiber in Laurel, Mississippi.
Minnesota awarded $52 million to expand broadband access to an estimated 7,700 homes and businesses. Funding was distributed through two different broadband infrastructure programs: $25 million from the Border-to-Border program, wherein providers are reimbursed for up to half of the eligible cost, capped at $10 million; and $27 million from the Low Population Density Program, which covers up to 75% of a project in a low-density area, with grants capped at $10 million. Awards went largely to local telcos and cooperatives, as well as regional providers Mediacom (two grants totaling $377,800) and Midco ($689,700). This round of funding, which comes from the American Rescue Plan's capital projects fund, follows a $50 million round awarded in March, also primarily to local ISPs. Minnesota was awarded $83 million for its Border-to-Border program and $44 million for its Line Extension Program via the US Treasury Department's capital projects funds, funded by the American Rescue Plan. Read more here.