Grants totaling more than $158 million have been approved by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board to bring reliable and affordable high-speed internet service to some 28,000 homes and businesses.
Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act Capital Projects Fund (ARPA CPF), the board gave unanimous approval to 50 grants with 12 internet service providers (ISPs) for projects in 28 counties at a recent meeting. The grants will be coupled with more than $109 million in matching funds from the ISPs.
Dr. Jim Meek, board chair, praised the work of the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) and the internet service community.
“The partnership between the broadband office and our internet service providers has been essential in advancing vital projects for communities across the state,” Meek said. “These grants will significantly enhance access to highspeed internet, improving economic opportunities and quality of life for tens of thousands of Oklahomans.”
This week’s grant awards will be followed by the final and largest broadband infrastructure program to be administered by the OBO. The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program will provide more than $750 million in grants to further expand high-speed interest service throughout the state.
