New York Construction Report staff writer
The New York State ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program has announced $140 million in new funding to expand broadband access across six regions of the state. This latest investment will fund the construction of more than 1,200 miles of publicly owned fiber optic infrastructure and wireless hubs, helping connect more than 60,000 homes and businesses with affordable, high-speed internet.
The new funding brings the total investment in broadband infrastructure through ConnectALL to $214.7 million, helping to build more than 2,000 miles of broadband infrastructure statewide. The program aims to provide internet service with equal upload and download speeds at rates below the regional average, enhancing connectivity for education, healthcare, remote work, and economic development.
“Today marks a transformative step forward in our mission to connect every New Yorker to affordable, high-speed internet,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “By investing over $140 million in broadband infrastructure across six regions, we’re not just laying fiber optic cables — we’re building bridges to education, health care, economic opportunity, and prosperity. This is a critical step to ensure no community is left behind in our digital future.”
The broadband infrastructure will be publicly owned, with private internet service providers (ISPs) operating the networks. This approach encourages competition and ensures that costs remain low for consumers, while providing high-quality service.
“Expanding broadband access is essential for the future of our communities and the vitality of our economy,” said Hope Knight, president and CEO of Empire State Development. “These strategic public-private partnerships will create new opportunities for innovation and competition, benefiting businesses and consumers alike across the state.”
The $140 million in new funding is being distributed across six regions. In Orleans County (Finger Lakes), $11 million will extend the county’s wireless network to 11,000 locations with speeds of 100/100 Mbps, building on a successful project launched in 2020.
In Schoharie County (Mohawk Valley), $30 million will fund the construction of 298 miles of fiber to connect more than 4,000 locations, including rural, hard-to-reach areas. The project will be managed by MIDTEL. In Central New York (Cayuga and Cortland counties), $26 million will establish CNYNET, a regional open-access fiber network to serve 6,671 locations. Empire Access will operate the network.
In Franklin County (North Country), $13.1 million will connect 1,567 locations with a mix of fiber and fixed-wireless solutions, overcoming challenges posed by the region’s rural landscape. In Sullivan County (Mid-Hudson), $29.9 million will expand broadband service to 22,000 locations by building 253 miles of fiber, including in the county’s mountainous regions. In the City of Jamestown (Western New York), $29.9 million will fund an open-access fiber network that will serve all 14,447 homes and businesses in the city.
To support transparency, ConnectALL has launched a beta version of its interactive project dashboard, allowing New Yorkers to track the progress of broadband projects statewide.
The ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program is part of a broader effort to treat broadband as a public utility, ensuring universal access to high-speed internet across the state. Funded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund, the program aims to improve digital equity and create lasting benefits for New Yorkers.
