The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) announced the availability of $8 million in additional funds for the state's broadband buildout. The money is interest earned on initial American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that the state legislature allocated to the Vermont Community Broadband Fund. VCBB will develop proposals for how to best use the money.
“The VCBB is excited for this additional $8 million in funds. The Board and staff will work carefully and extensively with partners to leverage these funds to ensure the sustainability, affordability, and longevity of Vermont’s community broadband expansion efforts enacted under Act 71,” said VCBB Board Chair Patty Richards.
The funds come after VCBB awarded nearly all of Vermont's ARPA Capital Projects Fund (CPF) money to Communications Union Districts (CUDs) and internet service providers. $241 million has been granted to fulfill Universal Service Plans, with all of Vermont's CUDs now receiving construction funds. VCBB Executive Director Christine Hallquist said the funds have already connected more than 30,000 homes and businesses, and the new money will help provide access for struggling Vermonters.
Recent grants include $4.3 million to NEK Community Broadband (NEKCV), $2.1 million to Chittenden County CUD, and $600,000 to Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. NEKCV also received $21 million in matching funds for federal grants. “The latest grants from the VCBB will enable NEK Community Broadband to leverage additional future federal dollars,” said NEKCV Executive Director Christa Shute. She noted that NEKCV has built public infrastructure in over 50 towns, offering service to over 6,000 addresses and serving over 1,200 customers with fiber optic symmetrical speeds up to 2 gigabits per second.
The next major federal broadband funding opportunity is the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which has allocated $229 million to Vermont. VCBB expects this to be enough to finish the statewide buildout.
Originally reported by NEK Broadband.
Photo: Brett Sayles via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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