Pete HahnloserThe U.S. Department of Treasury has authorized New Jersey’s proposal to use $52.8 million from the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF) to expand broadband availability statewide. This funding will back the New Jersey Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Equity (NJBIDE) pilot program, a competitive grant initiative aimed at providing high-speed internet access to underserved and unconnected areas.
The NJBIDE Notice of Funding Availability was published last month, and applications are open until Jan. 31. Eligible applicants include cooperatives, for-profit providers, local government agencies, nonprofit organizations and utility companies.
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“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role that high-speed internet plays in everyday life, and this initiative will ensure that more New Jerseyans can access the tools they need for work, education, healthcare and more,” New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Christine Guhl-Sadovy said.
The funding accounts for 26% of New Jersey’s CPF allocation and is expected to deliver dependable, high-speed internet to more than 28,000 residents statewide. The pilot program seeks projects that expand fiber-optic infrastructure, ensuring internet speeds of 100 megabits per second for both downloads and uploads upon completion while including at least one affordable option for communities.
The pilot program will focus on broadband infrastructure projects in Atlantic, Burlington, Cumberland, Essex, Salem and Warren counties. These areas face significant broadband accessibility challenges, particularly in rural and low-income regions, where high-speed internet investments are essential for access to employment opportunities, online education, telemedicine and social services.
The New Jersey Office of Broadband Connectivity has developed an interactive map to assist applicants in identifying priority areas that meet federal standards. This tool aims to guide project proposals targeting the state’s most critical broadband access gaps.
