On Nov. 18, New Hampshire secured over $18 million in federal funding to advance its broadband expansion program and connect more Granite Staters to reliable, high-speed internet. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced it would allocate $18.6 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding to the Granite State.
“New Hampshire is proud to be #1 in the nation for internet connectivity, and this new federal funding we have secured will help us reach our goal of delivering reliable broadband access to everyone in our state,” said Governor Kelly Ayotte. “Expanding broadband will help keep our communities safe, grow our economy, improve access to health care in our rural communities, and more. I thank the Department of Commerce for helping us continue to get more Granite Staters connected.”
New Hampshire was recently
named the top state in the country for home internet connectivity. This critical investment will help accelerate deployment of high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved locations, expanding economic opportunity, supporting business growth, and enhancing quality of life in rural communities and across New Hampshire.
“Congratulations to New Hampshire for getting their BEAD Final Proposal over the finish line,” said Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth. “The state’s commitment to cutting excessive costs and technology diversity resulted in a strong deployment plan that will achieve universal connectivity across the Granite State.”
BEAD funding is administered by the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) through its Office of Broadband Initiatives, supporting partnerships with local providers, municipalities, and public service agencies
“This investment is critical in reaching the last mile in bringing high-speed service to rural towns, which will support small businesses, enable remote work, and increase access to educational opportunities, healthcare, and other facets of our quality of life,” said Matthew Conserva, BEA Office of Broadband Initiatives Program Manager.
Improved and reliable connectivity will also benefit communities’ emergency response capabilities.
“Communications are key to providing life safety information to residents and visitors before, during and after events,” said Robert Buxton, director of the Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. “This funding is a critical investment in public safety and will allow for better response when an emergency arises.”
NTIA approval is one of the last steps before states and territories can start signing contracts and get projects underway.
About the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA)
The Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality of the State of New Hampshire while promoting it as a destination for domestic and international visitors. BEA oversees programs in economic development, international commerce, outdoor recreation industry development, planning and community development, travel and tourism, visitor services, and workforce development. For more information, visit
www.nheconomy.com.