Southern Tier Network receives $18.2 million to expand fiber optic broadband, enhancing connectivity for over 4,200 homes and businesses.
The Southern Tier will benefit from a significant investment as the state’s Connect ALL Municipal Infrastructure Grant program allocates $70 million to enhance high-speed broadband access. Southern Tier Network has been awarded $18.2 million to develop 223 miles of fiber optic infrastructure, bringing high-speed internet to over 4,200 homes and businesses across eight towns in Schuyler, Steuben, Chemung, Tioga, and Tompkins Counties.
The project aims to address connectivity challenges in areas with high rural poverty and vulnerable populations. Fiber optic connections and symmetric high-speed service will be introduced for the first time in these underserved regions. Partnering with FiberSpark and other providers, Southern Tier Network plans to offer affordable internet services, improving educational, economic, and health outcomes while supporting community retention.
Additionally, Tompkins County towns Dryden and Caroline are set to receive nearly $9 million to establish new public broadband services for over 2,600 locations. This funding reflects the success of the ConnectALL pilot projects, which demonstrated the benefits of publicly-owned, open-access fiber optic networks. Future rounds of Municipal Infrastructure Program funding will be announced by ConnectALL. For more details, visit the ConnectALL website.
