Gov. Ricketts announces recipients of rural broadband grants

LINCOLN, Neb.-Governor Pete Ricketts announced the award of more than $29.5 million in funding under the Remote Access Rural Broadband Grant program, administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED).

“These grants will lead to better broadband service in many areas of the state that are currently underserved,” said Gov. Ricketts. “The enhanced service will equip more of our rural communities with the technology needed to conduct business online, make virtual health visits, and engage in distance learning opportunities.”

The Broadband program was one of four grants designed and administered by DED this year to support the state’s economic recovery in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

“COVID-19 has underscored the need for a more concentrated, collaborative effort to improve our state’s broadband infrastructure,” said DED Director Anthony L. Goins. “This grant is an important first step toward ensuring all citizens of Nebraska have the opportunity to participate in the digital economy.”

The Broadband grant opportunity—made possible by federal CARES Act funding, including $1.08 billion of Coronavirus Relief funds allocated to the State of Nebraska—was announced by DED last spring. The grants target areas of the state where high speed internet service is nonexistent or subpar based on the FCC standard of 25/3 Mbps download/upload speeds.

When all projects are completed, a minimum of 17,600 housing units will gain the ability to subscribe to broadband internet service. Most of the projects being awarded are scheduled for completion by the end of the year, with controls in place to ensure agreements are executed as planned in a timely manner.

The recipients of the Rural Broadband Remote Access Grants are listed below:

2020 Remote Access Rural Broadband Recipients

RDOF = Rural Digital Opportunity Fund

Units Approved = Minimum housing units newly capable of subscribing to broadband following project completion.

ATC Communications

Arapahoe

$512,000

169

Bluestem Network LLC

Pleasant Dale (Rural RDOF Area)

$658,965

223

Charter Communications, Inc.

Brule

$141,400

186

Consolidated Telephone Company, Inc.

Dunning (Rural)

$39,694

12

Consolidated Telephone Company, Inc.

Hyannis (Rural)

$151,734

25

Consolidated Telephone Company, Inc.

Seneca (Rural)

$151,145

19

Country Mile Wireless, Inc

Cedar Creek

$89,439

100

Country Mile Wireless, Inc

Cedar Creek (Rural RDOF Area)

$138,605

100

Diode Communications

Beatrice (Pioneer Acres)

$117,000

26

Diode Communications

Beatrice (Rural Southwest RDOF Area)

$756,000

90

Diode Communications

Holmesville

$130,786

31

USA Communications, LLC

Atkinson

$580,798

638

USA Communications, LLC

Buffalo County (Block Group 1 - RDOF Area)

$1,441,000

400

USA Communications, LLC

Buffalo County (Block Group 4 - RDOF Area)

$400,720

116

USA Communications, LLC

Elwood

$281,206

361

USA Communications, LLC

Kearney (Antelope Ridge Development)

$173,410

89

Glenwood Telecommunications, Inc.

Franklin

$724,500

483

Glenwood Telecommunications, Inc.

Franklin (RDOF Area)

$554,657

128

Glenwood Telecommunications, Inc.

Guide Rock

$403,443

28

Great Plains Communications

Callaway

$650,753

384

Great Plains Communications

Creighton

$1,707,081

748

Great Plains Communications

Deshler

$744,641

475

Great Plains Communications

Gordon

$1,507,733

1,009

Great Plains Communications

North Bend

$1,142,709

768

Great Plains Communications

Red Cloud

$2,018,372

796

Great Plains Communications

Sutherland

$1,134,424

608

Hamilton Telecommunications

Merrick County

$687,500

250

Infinity 8 Broadband

Rural Hickman

$147,279

68