More than 55,000 Oklahoma homes and businesses are one step closer to receiving high-speed internet service, thanks to votes Thursday by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board to authorize 142 broadband infrastructure expansion projects. The approved projects would provide broadband to nearly a quarter of locations without such service today.
In a first of its kind of investment in Oklahoma, the Legislature designated ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to create and administer the broadband investment grant program. Grant funds of $374 million will be coupled with more than $90 million in matching funds from 31 internet service providers (ISPs) that submitted approved proposals for service expansion.
Of the 41 companies that applied for the grants, 31 were approved. Those ten companies that were not selected either decided to pull back during the process or did not complete their entire application.
Following the meeting, Associate Farm Editor Reagan Calk had the chance to visit with the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office, Michael A. Sanders.
“I don’t know if there is enough time in the day to tell you all of the real benefits from an economic development aspect for our rural communities, and quite frankly, even some of our urban communities,” Sanders said. “I have always believed that a healthy rural Oklahoma means a healthy, vibrant urban Oklahoma, and vice versa.”
Aside from boosting economic development, Sanders also emphasized the benefits of increasing broadband access for rural health, education, and more.
“These are real life-changing opportunities for folks who, by the way, have never had high-speed internet,” Sanders said.
This is one of four rounds of funding that companies can apply for, Sanders said, and for this round, 57 of the 77 counties in Oklahoma will be served.
Once all necessary agreements are executed, the projects can begin construction in 57 counties and must be completed before the end of 2026. The final list of funded projects is subject to some modification. If an approved provider chooses to withdraw participation, funding will move to the next project on the list until available funding is obligated with the approval of the board.
The next grant program to be administered by the OBO will award some $159 million from the ARPA Capital Projects Fund to Expand high-speed internet service in the state.
“They are really going to make a difference in the lives of Oklahomans because we are here to serve, and we are here to take care of those folks who have never had broadband, the unserved and underserved,” Sanders said. “That is it, that is our mission, and it is crystal-clear. We will deliver on that mission.”
The next meeting of the Oklahoma Broadband Council will take place at 10 a.m. on February 13th at Harvey Parkway Building, Room 115.
ARPA SLFRF FACTS:
- 57 out of 77 counties with approved projects
- 80% of approved projects are fiber
- 55,000 locations without high-speed internet will be served
- 31 different companies awarded
To view the official press release from the Oklahoma Broadband Office, CLICK HERE.
See the list of fund recipients from this round of approved applicants below:
