Governor Pillen Announces Funding for Rural Broadband Expansion
$20 Million in Grants to Support Broadband Infrastructure in Underserved Areas
Governor Jim Pillen today announced $20 million in grants to support broadband infrastructure expansion in underserved rural areas of Nebraska. The grants will be awarded through the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program, which was created by the Legislature in 2021 to provide funding for broadband infrastructure projects in areas that lack access to high-speed internet service.
“Access to reliable broadband internet is essential for economic development, education, and healthcare in rural Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen. “These grants will help to close the digital divide and ensure that all Nebraskans have the opportunity to participate in the 21st-century economy.”
The Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program is a competitive grant program that provides funding for broadband infrastructure projects that will:
- Expand access to broadband service in underserved areas.
- Increase the speed and reliability of broadband service in underserved areas.
- Reduce the cost of broadband service in underserved areas.
Eligible projects include the construction of new broadband infrastructure, the upgrade of existing broadband infrastructure, and the provision of broadband service to unserved or underserved areas. Grants will be awarded to projects that demonstrate the greatest need and potential for impact.
The Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program is part of Gov. Pillen’s commitment to expanding access to broadband internet in rural Nebraska. In addition to the $20 million in grants, Gov. Pillen has also proposed a number of other initiatives to support broadband expansion, including:
- Creating a new state Broadband Office to coordinate broadband expansion efforts.
- Streamlining the permitting process for broadband infrastructure projects.
- Providing tax incentives for broadband providers that invest in rural areas.
“Broadband internet is a critical infrastructure need for rural Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen. “These initiatives will help to ensure that all Nebraskans have access to the high-speed internet service they need to succeed in the 21st-century economy.”
