Oklahoma Broadband Board Approves Grants to Expand High-Speed Internet to Western Oklahoma

October 11, 2024 Featured Slider, News
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October 11, 2024

The Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board has approved over $158 million in grants to bring reliable, affordable high-speed internet to around 28,000 homes and businesses across the state. Notably, key projects include grants awarded to Resound Networks and Dobson Fiber, which will benefit several communities in Western Oklahoma:

Resound Networks Butler FTTH: $1,133,130.60

Resound Networks Corn FTTH: $1,364,735.00

Resound Networks Burns Flat FTTH: $2,063,047.56

Dobson Fiber Washita County: $239,978.50

Dobson Fiber Jackson County: $73,619.25

These grants, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act Capital Projects Fund (ARPA CPF), are part of a larger effort to expand high-speed internet across 28 counties, with 12 internet service providers (ISPs) receiving awards. The projects are matched by over $109 million in funds from the ISPs themselves.

Dr. Jim Meek, chair of the board, praised the collaboration between the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) and the ISPs, saying, “These grants will greatly improve internet access, enhancing economic opportunities and quality of life for tens of thousands of Oklahomans.”

This is the second tranche of broadband funding this year, bringing the total awards from ARPA CPF and ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to over $500 million. These funds will extend high-speed internet access to more than 66,000 locations in 57 of the state’s 77 counties.

OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders emphasized the long-term impact, noting that these grants will provide internet access to nearly 40% of the state’s unserved and underserved homes and businesses. “We’re moving closer to ensuring every Oklahoman has the internet access necessary to thrive in today’s digital world.”

The latest awards will soon be followed by the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which will allocate more than $750 million in grants to further expand high-speed internet across Oklahoma.