High-speed internet could come to underserved areas in New Jersey before the end of next year, thanks to state and federal grants.
The New Jersey Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Equity, a pilot program, is providing $40 million to install the infrastructure needed to bring broadband internet access to more than 7,700 households and 2,000 businesses across seven counties.
“You have providers saying ‘the ROI [return on investment] just is not worth it. Here’s that opportunity to sit here and say ‘well, we’re going to help you,’” said Valarry Bullard, director of broadband connectivity at the state Board of Public Utilities. “We’ll meet you halfway. Let’s get this work done.’ So now, there’s no longer that excuse.”
“It’s been really hard to get penetration of Wi-Fi compatibility or internet compatibility,” said Mickey Ostrum, deputy director of the Salem County Board of Commissioners. “The population density does not justify, at least in their minds, the economic output to expand the services they have.”
The grant program stipulates that all work must be completed by the end of 2026.
New Jersey Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Equity isn’t the only grant helping to expand internet access statewide. The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program will use $263 million of federal funding for unserved and underserved areas.
