The Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) is now accepting competitive proposals for a second round of grants to expand high-speed internet access throughout the state, OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders announced today.
Eligible internet service providers can now submit proposals through a portal on the OBO’s website for a chance to be awarded part of $159 million in federal grant funds through the American Rescue Plan Act’s Capital Project Fund (ARPA CPF). The portal launched on Monday, June 24, and will close Monday, July 8.
This latest round follows grants awarded from $374 million in ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. In January, the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board approved projects to serve more than 50,000 homes and businesses in 57 of the state’s 77 counties.
“The response from our first program exceeded our expectations, so we’re looking forward to building on that momentum,” Sanders said. “For far too long, thousands of Oklahomans have been without this essential service. We have talked about bridging the gap for years and now it is happening.”
“Oklahomans are seeing generational change happen in real time,” said Dr. Jim Meek, Board Chairman. “Not only will investments lead to better connectivity, but lives will be changed because of the economic growth that is coming.”
ARPA CPF is one of three broadband infrastructure grant programs to be administered by the OBO. The programs will provide more than $1.3 billion for high-speed internet expansion.
