UNH Statement on NTIA Broadband Grant
By Erika Mantz, Media Relations
July 7, 2010
Network New Hampshire Now (NNHN), a collaboration of public and private
partners from across the state and led by UNH, was honored to learn it will receive
$44.5 million in economic stimulus money to fund critically needed broadband
expansion across the state. This grant will create nearly 700 new jobs and provide
affordable Internet access to 12,000 businesses and 700 community institutions.
The proposal was submitted by UNH – on behalf of a team of partners brought
together by the N.H. Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED) – that
was guided by the Governor’s Telecommunications Advisory Board (TAB)
and the 2008 New Hampshire Broadband Action Plan. UNH was chosen to lead this
effort as a result of years of management and technical leadership in bringing
federal funding to the Granite State. The partners include the institutions
of the University System of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Public Television,
the Community College System of New Hampshire, New Hampshire FastRoads, West
Central New Hampshire Network, Southwest Regional Planning Commission, Keene
Municipal Broadband Committee, Monadnock Economic Development Corporation,
New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, the state departments
of safety and transportation, the N.H. National Guard, and numerous broadband
providers.
“This project is about long-term economic development,” said UNH
President Mark W. Huddleston. “Residents, businesses, schools and health
care providers in many New Hampshire communities have limited and expensive access.
The availability and affordability of broadband supports job creation, and that
benefits everyone in the state. Without it, businesses will locate elsewhere.
UNH is proud to take the lead on this statewide initiative – with great
support from Governor John Lynch, our entire congressional delegation and state
legislators -- because we believe strongly that affordable Internet access should – and
must – be readily available to all New Hampshire citizens.”
The $44.5 million grant will be matched with $22 million in private cash and
in-kind funding. Network New Hampshire Now will expand broadband in all 10
counties in New Hampshire and also includes a wireless public safety network,
connectivity for an intelligent transportation system, and last mile “fiber to the home” in
two communities. The largest component is a middle mile fiber network that connects
and supports the entire program, including connecting dozens of community anchor
institutions – such as healthcare providers, community colleges, schools
and libraries.
For more information, please visit http://networknhnow.org/
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