Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $50 Million Available Through an Expansion of the ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program

Expands Program to Nearly $300 Million for Open Access and Public Infrastructure

Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted the launch of Phase 4 of New York State’s Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP) Request for Applications, making nearly $50 million available to support broadband infrastructure projects across the state. MIP connects unserved and underserved communities to high-speed internet through open-access and publicly controlled broadband infrastructure. To date, ConnectALL has awarded over $240 million, enabling the construction of almost 2,400 miles of fiber and connecting nearly 100,000 locations statewide. The new Phase 4 Application expands the program to nearly $300 million, drawing on funds from the US Department of Treasury Capital Projects Fund.

“Reliable, affordable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury — it's a necessity for New Yorkers to fully participate in our modern economy and society,” Governor Hochul said. “Through the ConnectALL initiative, we are making historic investments to ensure every New Yorker has access to the digital tools they need to succeed. Phase 4 of the Municipal Infrastructure Program builds on our ongoing efforts to address broadband gaps in areas that have been overlooked and underserved by traditional internet service providers.”

Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Municipal Infrastructure Program represents a transformative approach to broadband deployment that puts communities in the driver's seat. By supporting public ownership of broadband infrastructure and open-access networks, we're creating sustainable solutions that increase competition, lower costs, and ensure better service for New Yorkers.”

Phase 4 of the Municipal Infrastructure Program will build on the Governor’s State of the State commitment to establish the Excelsior Broadband Network to build and connect a network of public broadband assets across the state. The first component of the Excelsior Broadband Network will be a new fiber line that runs the full length of the New York Thruway, which will improve high speed internet and reliable cell phone service across the state. The MIP grants will continue to prioritize unserved and underserved areas and increase opportunities for service providers to reach all corners of the state.

Applications open today, March 27, with a deadline of April 25. Interested parties must submit applications through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) Portal here. Detailed information on eligibility and program requirements is available here.

Governor Hochul’s ConnectALL Initiative

Governor Hochul has made expanding broadband access a cornerstone of her administration's efforts to create a more equitable New York. Through the ConnectALL initiative, New York State is investing $1 billion to transform the state's digital infrastructure, enhance competition among providers, and ensure that every New Yorker has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet.

To date, ConnectALL has overseen the successful launch and implementation of several programs to advance broadband access, including:

• The Digital Equity Program will invest $50 million, including a federal allocation of at least $37 million, to implement the New York State Digital Equity Plan to close the digital divide. ConnectALL closed the Digital Equity Program Capacity Grant Request for Applications on March 24. ConnectALL will award approximately $15.5 million through this Request for Applications to entities and partnerships working to bridge the digital divide.
• The Affordable Housing Connectivity Program will provide up to $100 million in grants to bring new broadband infrastructure to homes in affordable and public housing leveraging funds from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Capital Projects Fund. The first awards under this program are securing $10 a month broadband service and $30 a month Gigabit service for over 14,000 low-income households in Buffalo, New York City and Rochester. The program continues to accept applications from internet service providers and expressions of interest from housing owners and public housing authorities.
• The ConnectALL Deployment Program will fund internet service providers to reach unserved and underserved locations, drawing on an allocation of $664.6 million in federal funding from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, as described in the ConnectALL Broadband Deployment Initial Proposal. For details on the active Request for Applications for this program, visit the ConnectALL website.