The Department of Public Service is pleased to announce the early applicant pool winners from the third funding round of the Broadband Innovation Grant Program. Three grants were awarded in support of feasibility studies and conditional business plans for the deployment of broadband in rural, unserved, and underserved areas of Vermont. The grant program makes up to three awards from the early applicant pool. The remaining funds will be awarded during the “regular” application period. Applications for the remaining funds from Round Three are due on June 19, 2020.
The three awardees are:
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The Northern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) plans to pursue funding through the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and will partner with either an electric utility or existing internet service provider.
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Southern Vermont Communications Union District will evaluate the feasibility of deploying fiber to the home in the underserved areas of Bennington County.
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Lamoille County Planning Commission will study the feasibility of serving the underserved parts of seven towns (Belvidere, Waterville, Cambridge, Johnson, Eden, Hyde Park, and Wolcott).
For more information about the grant program, please see the Broadband Innovation Grant Program webpage. Questions may be directed to Clay Purvis, Director of the Telecommunications & Connectivity Division by calling 802-371-9655 or by email to clay.purvis@vermont.gov.