Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

The Alabama Broadband Accessibility Act, established the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. The Act recognized that the availability of high-speed broadband services in unserved rural Alabama is important for economic development, education, health care and emergency services.

The Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund received conditional funding of up to $7.4 million in 2018. For more information consult the website or contact broadband.fund@adeca.alabama.gov or (334) 242-5290

Alaska does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

Alaska does not currently have any broadband programs.

Alaska does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.  

The Arizona Commerce Authority “coordinates broadband development activities in partnership with state and local government activities in partnership with state and local government stakeholders and the private sector to streamline regulatory hurdles and maximizes strategic broadband funding for Arizona.” More information can be found on the Arizona Commerce Authority’s website.

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) currently offers a $3 million in broadband oriented grant with components for construction and planning. Additionally, the ACA works with local regions to establish Broadband Action Teams of local leaders to develop regional broadband planning that is designed to be the precursor to construction. Lastly the ACA Broadband Unit is charged with working with other state agencies to breakdown barriers to broadband deployment and facilitate policies that encourage rural buildout.

Arizona has $3 million in grant funding for broadband. More information can be found on Arizona Commerce Authority’s website.

 Arkansas Department of Information Systems

Arkansas produces a semi-annual report, the Arkansas State Broadband Manager’s report that highlights broadband programs and activities in the state.

Arkansas does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

California Public Utilities Commission 

The California Public Utilities Commission has the California Advanced Services Fund, which includes funding for broadband deployment and adoption grants. Additionally, the California Teleconnect Fund, which offers discounts on broadband service for schools, libraries, and certain non-governmental organizations

The California Advanced Services Fund offers $350 million in funding for broadband deployment and adoption grants

Colorado Broadband Office committed to enabling the development of a statewide digital communications infrastructure through public-private partnerships to meet the growing demand for broadband access in the key sectors of public safety, education, healthcare, transportation, and for all Coloradans.

Colorado has two broadband programs: The first program, the Broadband Deployment Board and Broadband Fund, provides infrastructure grants for last-mile projects in unserved areas of the state and the Department of Regulatory Agencies hosts the fund. The funding comes from the High Cost Support Mechanism, which the Colorado Public Utilities Commission has authority over and controls the transfer of funds to the Broadband Fund.

As of August 2018, $19.5 million was made available for Broadband Fund grants. The contact for this fund is Jordan Beezley, Jordan.Beezley@state.co.us, (303) 894-7751. The second fund is The Department of Local Affairs, which distributes infrastructure grants “to local governments regional planning and middle-mile and community anchor institutions projects through its energy and mineral impact fund.” As of September 2018, the program has awarded $20 million. The contact for this fund is Greg Winkler, Winkler@state.co.us, (970) 668-6160.

The Office of State Broadband within the Office of Consumer Counsel

The State Broadband Office has historically offered programs to support survey work and produce reports on the status of broadband in the state. However, the OSB has been scaling back on work as a result of budget cuts.

Connecticut does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

Delaware Department of Technology and Information

Delaware does not currently have any broadband programs.

Delaware does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

Office of the Chief Technology Officer  serves as the District of Columbia’s broadband office.

The Connect.DC - Digital Inclusion Initiative works to bridge the digital divide by making technology easier to use, more accessible, more affordable and more relevant to the everyday lives of District residents.

The District does not funding for broadband activities. 

Currently the State of Florida does not have a state broadband office but the Department of Management Services  has been designated as the lead for determining the direction in which the State is moving related to Statewide Broadband services.

Florida does not currently have any broadband programs.

Florida does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.  

Georgia Department of Community Affairs

In 2018, Georgia directed Department of Community Affairs to map out what parts of the state are unserved and don’t have internet access. The Georgia Technology Authority manages the Georgia Broadband Mapping Program and partners with Georgia telecommunications carriers to collect broadband data on coverage and speeds across technology types.

The state legislature approved a broadband grant program during 2018, but did not allocate funding. Email the broadband contacts for further information. 

Hawaii does not have a dedicated broadband office. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) oversee broadband-related activities, including: access to broadband services at affordable prices throughout the state; the DCCA’s work to promote the use of broadband services. In 2010, Hawaii created the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council, consisting of public and private stakeholders, to advise DCCA on broadband access, use, policy and other matters 

In 2011, Hawaii launched the Hawaii Broadband Initiative, which has three major components: DBEDT is working on a Transpacific Fiber Optic Cable Landing Project, an initiative to build a secure, carrier neutral, open access cable landing station for transpacific fiber; DCCA is also implementing a pilot project to offer wireless Internet access points (WiFi hotspots) at publicly accessible government locations in underserved areas; and DCCA continues to look at means to provide publicly accessible information to identify unserved and underserved areas and to evaluate the speed and quality of existing Internet services offered in order to furnish policymakers seeking to facilitate broadband infrastructure deployment with data needed to evaluate the current state of broadband access and to measure progress.  More information can be found on the DCCA’s broadband webpage.

DBEDT received initial state funding for the Initiative planning purposes in 2015.  Funding for DCCA programs come from DCCA’s Cable Television Division program funds.  

Idaho Department of Commerce

Idaho does not currently have any broadband programs.

Idaho does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

Illinois does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity. However, the ILDoIT oversees broadband-related activities.

The state of Illinois offers Illinois Century Network (ICN), which is the state broadband network the IL Department of Innovation and Technology operates and manages. ICN provides broadband and Internet connectivity to all state agency locations and a number of community anchor institutions, including K-12 schools, libraries, higher education, research institutions, museums, and municipalities.  

Please visit the Department of Innovation & Technology and ICN websites for more information on broadband funding.

The Indiana Director of Broadband Opportunities is a newly created position (September 2018) that coordinates the state’s broadband programs.

Indiana has created the Broadband Grants for Unserved Areas program, but there is no funding yet available for grants. The grants will be available for broadband infrastructure development in areas of the state that are in the greatest need and do not have 10/1 Mbps speeds. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs administers the Broadband Readiness Pilot Planning Grant program funded through the Community Development Block Grant program. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation oversees the Broadband Ready Communities program. A local unit of government is certified as a Broadband Ready Community if it has established a broadband deployment procedure that complies with certain statutory requirements.

In September 2018, the Governor announced the Next Level Connections infrastructure program that includes broadband. Contact the Director of Broadband Opportunities for more information.

The Iowa Broadband Office, part of the Office of the Chief Information Officer, was established in 2015. This office manages: a property tax exemption program designed to provide property tax exemptions to the installation of new broadband services in targeted service areas of the State (those U.S. Census blocks where no carrier provided 25/3 Mbps service); a fiber optic network conduit installation program designed to make carriers aware of road construction projects taking place in the State; and a broadband grant program designed to make grant funding available to telecommunications providers working in targeted service areas.

The state of Iowa provides property tax exemptions, a fiber optic network conduit installation program and a broadband grant program. Consult the Iowa Broadband Office website for more information on these programs.  

Visit the Iowa Broadband Office website for more information on these programs.

The Broadband Development Office at the Kansas Department of Commerce is responsible for promoting economic development through broadband technology, overseeing, managing and expanding programs to encourage local communities to support broadband deployment and adoption.

Kansas manages broadband programs through the Department of Commerce and focuses on developing initiatives which promote economic development. There are two broadband mapping projects currently underway: a drive-testing effort designed to challenge FCC Mobility Fund II eligibility in the state and an updated statewide coverage and availability map. In addition to service provider and local community outreach and coordination activities, other specific programs are under development.

The state of Kansas funding for broadband is currently limited to carrying out the two broadband mapping projects.

Kentucky does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

The Kentucky Communications Network Authority and its Board manage and oversee the KentuckyWired network, the Commonwealth's open-access broadband network.  KentuckyWired is focused on meeting current needs for government locations, but more importantly, positioning Kentucky to be a national leader in high-capacity Internet service connections which promote economic development, enhance education and research capabilities, ensure public safety, improve healthcare delivery, and augment connectivity for libraries and communities.

Kentucky does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

Louisiana does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

Louisiana does not currently have any broadband programs.

Louisiana does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

The Maine ConnectME Authority oversees expanding broadband access in rural and underserved areas of the state. The ConnectME Authority is administered by Maine’s Department of Economic and Community Development.

The ConnectME Authority has a community planning and infrastructure grants program for broadband projects throughout the state.

The ConnectME Authority has awarded over $13 million in grant funding in 12 funding rounds since 2007.

The Governor’s Office of Rural Broadband, established in 2018

Connecting Rural Maryland Act of 2017

Funding opportunities in Maryland are developing. Consult the Rural Maryland Council for the most current information.

The Commonwealth established Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) in 2008 as a division within the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to help coordinate state efforts to expand broadband to unserved and underserved areas of the Commonwealth. MBI works closely with the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development to coordinate these efforts. The Public Safety Broadband Office coordinates with the FirstNet regarding the implementation of a nationwide, high-speed, wireless data network dedicated to public safety.

MBI administers the Last Mile Program, a grant program targeting unserved municipalities and the Broadband Extension Grant Program which targets ‘partially-served’ municipalities. The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development also administers a Last Mile Infrastructure Grant Program that has expanded grants for municipal-owned broadband projects in unserved communities. Massachusetts has state broadband mapping capabilities to understand the needs of under- and unserved communities. The Commonwealth also offers the Digital Connection Initiative, which will provides tools, assistance and funding to bridge the digital divide in schools through FY2019.

Consult the Massachusetts Broadband Institute website for funding levels and application processes.

The state of Michigan does not have an office dedicated to broadband. However, Connect Michigan, a subsidiary of Connected Nation and the Michigan Public Service Commission oversee broadband-related activities in the state.

Connect Michigan partnered with the Michigan Public Service Commission to launch a “comprehensive broadband planning and technology initiative as part of the national effort to map and expand broadband.” The program gathered provider data to inform statewide broadband maps and performed statewide business and residential technology assessments. It also worked with localities on community plans through the Michigan Collaborative Broadband Committee.

Connect Michigan and the MPSC continue to refine and validate broadband coverage for the state and provide guidance and technical assistance to communities, policy makers and others. In January 2018, Governor Snyder created the Michigan Consortium of Advanced Networks to create a broadband roadmap for the state. The Michigan Broadband Roadmap was released in August 2018.

Please visit the Connect Michigan website for more information on funding in Michigan for broadband-related projects.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Office of Broadband Development

The Border to Border Broadband Grant Program supports broadband upgrades and expansion.

The Minnesota legislature allocated $20 million for the Border to Border grant program for 2019 and 2020. Please see the website for more information on the program and the grant qualifications.

Mississippi does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

Mississippi does not currently have any broadband-related programs.

Mississippi utilizes Community Development Block Grants and Appalachian Regional Commission Grants for broadband.

The Broadband Development Office at the Missouri Department of Economic Development coordinates broadband initiatives for the state.

Missouri is in the early stages of establishing a grant program for broadband expansion, the enabling legislation passed and signed into law on June 1, 2018, appropriations to fund program were not identified and will be a goal for the next legislative session.

Funding for the grant program has yet to be identified. The funding for the Director of Broadband Development’s position was a collaborative effort by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Economic Development.

Montana does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity. However, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development coordinates broadband initiatives.

Montana does not currently have any broadband programs.

In 2017, Montana created a state match to leverage broadband funds available through the Federal Communication Commission’s E-rate program. The Montana Department of Commerce is coordinating the program.

Nebraska Public Service Commission, Nebraska Information Technology Commission, Nebraska Library Commission, University of Nebraska - Lincoln Extension

Nebraska Universal Service Fund and Network Nebraska.

Through the Nebraska Universal Service Fund, the state offers funding for expansion, improvements, construction, and connections to hospitals.

Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation & Technology

Nevada broadband programs include Nevada Connect Kids Initiative, Private Foundation Funding, USDA Grants, State grants, Private/Public Partnerships for broadband deployment, Whole Community Approach Program.

The new state E-Rate Model for Schools and Libraries, the Nevada Connect Kids Initiative, launched in 2017.  The program provides a $2 million state match for school and library connectivity projects that triggers the Federal Communications Commission to match the state contribution.

New Hampshire’s Division of Economic Development in the Department of Business and Economic Affairs coordinates broadband initiatives for the State.

New Hampshire has a broadband mapping and planning program that the University of New Hampshire administers. The program seeks to understand where broadband is currently available in New Hampshire, how it can be made more widely available in the future and how to encourage increased levels of broadband adoption and usage.

New Hampshire does not have not have dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

New Jersey does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

New Jersey does not currently have any broadband programs.

New Jersey does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

The New Mexico Department of Information Technology (NWDoIT) created the Office of Broadband and Geospatial Initiatives (OBGI) in 2016. The purpose of OBGI is to provide a permanent solution for planning and supporting statewide broadband and geospatial initiatives.

The OBGI and its New Mexico Broadband Program continue to expand and support broadband initiatives statewide. OBGI is helping the New Mexico Public Regulation Department (NMPRC) plan validation measures and obtain mapping resources for their Broadband Infrastructure Fund Program which allows them to grant up to $5M per year for Internet Service Providers. OBGI is also working with NMDoIT Enterprise Services to support their in-house mapping needs. NMDoIT is funding up to $30K for this project. In October 2015, the State announced the Governor's Broadband for Education an initiative to bring high-speed Internet access to every classroom by the 2018 school year. OBGI shares the State’s consolidated broadband related resources with New Mexico public libraries and participates as a member of their Taskforce for Libraries, which is part of the New Mexico Libraries Transform Initiative. The State is collaborating with the New Mexico Telehealth Alliance in leveraging  HealthCare Connect Funds for health care facilities.

Governor’s Broadband for Education  and the NMPRC Broadband Infrastructure Fund Program

New York State Broadband Program Office serves as the state’s single point of contact for broadband development and deployment efforts and the office email is nysbroadband@esd.ny.gov.

The New NY Broadband Program provides New York State grant funding to support projects that deliver high-speed Internet access to unserved and underserved areas of the State.

Consult the New York State Broadband Program Office website for current funding levels.

North Carolina Broadband Infrastructure Office (BroadbandIO)

NC Broadband is the statewide effort to expand high-speed Internet access. The effort includes: a Technical Assistance program that consists of an on-the-ground technical support team that is responsible for working with counties and communities across the state to provide needed broadband expertise; the GREAT Grant Program that provides grants to private providers of broadband services to facilitate the deployment of broadband service to unserved areas of the North Carolina; and a digital literacy position in the Office of the State Librarian to promote digital literacy statewide.

Consult the BroadbandIO website for current funding levels.

North Dakota Information Technology Department

STAGEnet is focused on providing broadband connectivity, Internet access, and other networking services. All state agencies, colleges and universities, local government, and K-12 are required to participate in STAGEnet. 

North Dakota does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

Ohio does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

Since 2008, Connect Ohio served as the state’s single, comprehensive broadband repository. Ohio continued to fund the Connect Ohio program through direct appropriation through June 30, 2017. There is no current funding for Connect Ohio. In 2012, Ohio invested $13.1 million in upgrades to increase OARnet network capacity tenfold to 100 Gbps. The enhanced network provides connections to 10 major cities, 90 colleges and universities, numerous data centers and application service providers that serve education, research and government and Internet2’s research and education network. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $6.8 million under a 2015 TIGER VII grant program to the Ohio Department of Transportation for its Transit Tech Ohio Project.  Ohio has used these funds to upgrade scheduling/dispatching ITS software/hardware to a statewide minimum specification with a secondary goal to expand broadband into areas of the state with insufficient broadband access that can support upgraded technology.

Ohio does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

OneNet and Oklahoma Community Anchor Network (OCAN)

OneNet’s mission is to advance technology across Oklahoma. OneNet enhances economic growth by meeting the mission-critical needs of the state's education, research, health care and public service communities.

Oklahoma does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

Oregon does not have a state broadband office. The Business Development Department, Department of Transportation, the Public Utility Commission, and the Office of the Chief Information Officerengage in broadband related activities and issues. Additionally, the 2009 Legislature created the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council to help ensure the implementation of statewide broadband strategies.

Oregon has a Special Public Works Fund, Rural Broadband Capacity Pilot Program, and Connecting Oregon Schools Fund. These funds are available for broadband projects. Please consult the state of Oregon for more information on those programs. Additionally, Oregon has a limited property tax exemption for companies that build and operate a new qualified broadband distribution network.

Rural Broadband Capacity Pilot Program.

The Governor’s Office of Broadband Initiatives: manages the Governor’s initiative to provide high-speed internet access to all Pennsylvanians; serves as the Governor’s public advocate for broadband access and utilization; recommends broadband programs and policies for Pennsylvania; serves as the point of contact for PA broadband issues; and encourages and advocates for policies that improve Pennsylvania’s Broadband infrastructure.

The Governor’s Office of Broadband Initiatives administers the Pennsylvania Broadband Investment Incentive Program, the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission administers the Pennsylvania Universal Service Fund and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation administers the Wireless Telecommunications Device Distribution Program.

Contact the Governor’s Office of Broadband Initiatives for current funding levels for the programs: info.pabroadband@pa.gov or (717) 783-1116

Puerto Rico Public Service Regulatory Board,  web address: http://jrsp.pr.gov

Puerto Rico has a strategic plan for broadband, but it does not currently have a comprehensive broadband program.

The only dedicated funding source for broadband activities is established in Act 80-2017, 27 Laws of Puerto Rico Annotated § 269g, for the subsidizing of high speed Internet access and broadband access to residences and businesses throughout the Island, from the income generated by the lease of governmental dark fiber.

Rhode Island does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

Rhode Island does not currently have any broadband programs.

In 2016, the legislature appropriated a $15 million E-rate matching grant for Wi-Fi capabilities in every public K-12 classroom.

South Carolina does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

South Carolina does not currently have any broadband programs.

South Carolina does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

South Dakota does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.

South Dakota does not currently have any broadband programs.

South Dakota does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Grant offers Infrastructure grants and tax credits for service providers, digital literacy grants, and Broadband Ready Community designation.

The state offers broadband infrastructure grants, tax credits, and digital literacy training grants. Grant funding totaled $10M in FY2018, $15M in FY2019.

Texas does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity.  Connected Texas, a subsidiary of Connected Nation, coordinates state-level broadband initiatives.

Texas does not have any broadband programs, but it does provide matching E-rate funds.

Texas does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

Utah does not have an office dedicated to broadband-related activity. However the Office of Rural Development (ORD), housed in the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, oversees broadband-related activities.

Utah’s main broadband program is the Utah Broadband Advisory Council (Council). The Council meets regularly to examine the condition of broadband in the state and provides the governor and legislature with policy recommendations and guidance. The Rural Community and Outreach Office of Rural Development maintains the state’s interactive Residential Broadband Availability Outreach Map and a Commercial Broadband Economic Development Map.

Utah does not have any dedicated  funding sources for broadband activities.

Telecommunications and Connectivity Division, Vermont Department of Public Services

The Connectivity Initiative is a state program that addresses broadband development. Funded by proceeds from the Vermont Universal Service Fund, the Connectivity Initiative grants are awarded to internet service providers that agree to extend service to designated areas least likely to be served through the private sector or through federal programs. The ThinkVermont Innovation Grant Program is designed to fund projects in areas that have been identified as crucial to the growth needs of Vermont’s small businesses.

The Department of Public Service also owns or holds license to roughly 340 route miles of open access dark fiber optic cable in Vermont.The Department is not a service provider and does not sell anything beyond the use of the dark fiber.

Connectivity Initiative grants are awarded to Internet service providers that agree to extend service to areas least likely to be served through the private sector or through federal programs.

Virgin Islands Next Generation Network (viNGN), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Virgin Island

USVI does not currently have any broadband programs.

USVI does not have any dedicated funding sources for broadband activities.

Virginia’s Broadband Chief Broadband Advisor, Evan Feinman, serves as Virginia's single point of contact and integration for broadband issues, efforts, and initiatives and to increase the availability and affordability of broadband throughout all regions of the Commonwealth. 

Virginia has a number of programs. The Secretary of Commerce and Trade Office coordinates the Commonwealth’s efforts to connect all regions of the Commonwealth. The Center for Innovative Technology also receives funding from the state to accelerate Virginia’s socio-economic growth through the application and use of broadband technology. Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) receives funding from the state to provide broadband planning and infrastructure grants. Finally, the Broadband Advisory Council advises the Governor on policy and funding priorities to expedite deployment and reduce the cost of broadband access in the Commonwealth.

Center for Innovative Technology receives $1.1 million on a two-year (biennial) budget cycle - $550,000 for the first year and $550,000 for the second year. Department of Housing and Community Development receives $8 million on a two-year (biennial) budget cycle - $4 million the first year and $4 million the second year for the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative. The funds can be used for providing financial assistance to supplement construction costs by private sector broadband service providers to extend service to areas that presently are unserved by any broadband provider. Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission receives funding from the Master Settlement Agreement through the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Fund.

The Washington Department of Commerce oversees broadband adoption and deployment efforts on behalf of the state. As of 2017, the CERB Rural Broadband Program ;that sits within the Department of Commerce has grant-making and loan authority specifically for broadband infrastructure. The Washington State University Extension, Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission Washington Office of Privacy and Data Protection, and Washington Office of the State Chief Information Officer also play a role in overseeing broadband-related activities.

A variety of state programs fund broadband-related projects such as the Community Economic Revitalization Board which funds feasibility studies and fiber buildout by local governments and the State Universal Service Fund which provides time-limited support to rural telephone companies to replace terminating access charge revenue.

CERB Rural Broadband Program

West Virginia does not have an office dedicated to broadband; however, in 2016 the state established the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council, within the West Virginia Department of Commerce, to direct plans, policies and procedures to expand broadband within the State of West Virginia, with a focus on unserved and underserved areas.

In 2017, West Virginia tasked the Broadband Enhancement Council with creating a statewide broadband map, a loan guarantee program, and other outreach goals. In 2018, the state awarded approximately $1.5 million in HUD CDBG allocation to broadband projects, including three infrastructure projects and nine planning projects. West Virginia also plans to award approximately $4 million in Special Telecommunications Funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Consult the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council website or email the broadband contacts for information on funding levels.

The Wisconsin Broadband Office oversees all broadband-related activities.

In 2013, the Governor created the Broadband Expansion Grant Program. The grant provides funding for the construction of broadband infrastructure in underserved areas of the state. The Public Service Commission administers the program through the Wisconsin Broadband Office.

Wisconsin allocated $35.5 million in additional spending for broadband access across Wisconsin. Specifically, the state allocated an additional $13 million for Broadband Expansion Grants over the 2017-19 biennium, and increased funding for Wisconsin’s Technology for Educational Achievement (TEACH) grants by $22.5 million to provide students with high-speed internet, access to mobile hot spots, and access to laptop computers. The state also created a continuing appropriation for Broadband Expansion Grant program utilizing unencumbered state USF balances -- estimated to be approximately $2 million per year.

Wyoming Business Council

Wyoming Business Council works to enrich the lives, enable economic diversification and to move Wyoming to a position of leadership in the new digital world by ensuring every citizen and business has access to affordable, reliable, redundant and future-proof broadband.  In this role, the Council plans to meet with communities to determine needs and opportunities; builda mapping program to accurately map existing connectivity and challenges; work collaboratively with state broadband suppliers to determine need and ability to deliver; monitor emerging technologies and reach out to new methods of delivery to encourage them to prove out their technology in Wyoming; assist and review applicants and applications for the Wyoming State Broadband Grant Fund; encourage coordination and collaboration among state and federal agencies; review, promote and assist in finding funding opportunities,  forming Public/Private Partnerships, removing barriers and providing opportunities (e.g., ROW issues)

Grant program is in progress. Check website for updates.