By: Sarah Salgado, Broadband Program Specialist, Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth  

Generations before us built infrastructure such as electricity, water, and sewer systems to serve everyone in America. Now, it is our generation’s turn to connect everyone in America to the tools they need to thrive in the modern digital economy through reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service. Achieving this ambitious goal requires the development of middle mile infrastructure.

The Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program provides funding for the expansion and extension of middle mile infrastructure across U.S. states and territories. In total, the program allocated $980 million to fund projects for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure covering more than 370 counties across 40 states and Puerto Rico in Summer 2023. The ultimate purpose of this funding is to expand and strengthen U.S. high-speed Internet networks by reducing the cost of connecting areas that are unserved or underserved to the Internet backbone.

With the September 30, 2022, application deadline for the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program just days away, it’s time for NTIA’s third and final post in our “Scoring Big” series. Our aim is to help applicants submit complete, informed, and high-quality applications.

Who Are Middle Mile Providers?

Why Middle Mile Matters

Middle mile infrastructure bridges the gap between where information is stored and the people interacting with it – it's an essential part of reliable, high-speed Internet access. Because of the nation’s middle mile networks, anyone in America can transfer data across the world, enabling community, competition, learning, and well-being.

On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. This Act includes a historic investment of $65 billion to help close the digital divide and ensure that all Americans have access to reliable, high speed, and affordable broadband.