Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy and the Albany County Legislature announced that Albany County has received $1,022,607.86 in funding through the New York State Empire State Development Corporation to support Broadband expansion projects targeting unserved areas of the community. This new investment builds on the $3.2 million in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Funds already allocated by Albany County for broadband infrastructure improvements.
An estimated 14.5 million Americans lack access to high-speed broadband internet, and half of counties in the United States experience speeds below the federally defined broadband standards of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload. Reliable access to high-speed internet is vital, as nearly every aspect of modern life relies on the internet in some way.
“High speed internet is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental utility, that is essential for education, employment, healthcare, and so much more. This state grant is another critical step forward in our mission to deliver broadband access to every corner of Albany County. I would like to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for recognizing the urgent need and prioritizing broadband investment throughout New York State and the Capital Region,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy.
Albany County applied for this funding through the ConnectALL Deployment Program-County Partnerships Program, which was available to New York State counties that had already identified internet service provider partners. Last year, with assistance from ECC Technologies, Albany County mapped out all unserved addresses and issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking applications from internet service providers (ISPs) to build out infrastructure to these locations with County support. The County received responses from five providers representing projects in seven towns that had been competitively graded.
With the current level of funding available, Albany County will be able to proceed with the projects proposed by the following ISPs:
• State Tel
• Mid-Hudson
• Archtop
These projects would cover approximately 1,000 unserved addresses in the Towns of Coeymans, Berne, Westerlo, Rensselaerville, Knox, New Scotland, and Bethlehem. These projects, along with others in the pipeline, will lead to the residents of Albany County having around 95% coverage by highspeed broadband internet access.
“Robust and equitable internet access is a necessity in Albany County instead of just a luxury. With so much of our lives, information, employment, and assistance tied to the digital world, we must ensure that everyone in Albany County can connect quickly, consistently, and seamlessly. We are thankful to our state partners for supporting us in supporting our residents,” said Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham.
“As we move deeper into the 21st century, we have to recognize that highspeed internet access is as needed as clean water or stable electricity in Albany County. Historically, cutting off connections was a primary way to divide and marginalize communities. I am proud that Albany County, with this support from our New York State partners, is actively filling in gaps in our broadband network. Everyone benefits when everyone can connect and communicate efficiently,” said Albany County Legislature Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham.
“The Albany County Legislature is proud to support initiatives that close the digital divide and deliver lasting impact for the people of Albany County. The $1,022,607 ConnectALL grant is a critical investment in equity, access, and opportunity. It will expand broadband infrastructure to our most underserved communities and prioritize contracting goals for minority- and women-owned businesses. This funding will drive economic growth and foster greater stability across the County,” said Majority Leader Dennis Feeney.
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