PSC Awards Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program Grants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

              PSC AWARDS NEBRASKA BROADBAND
                         BRIDGE PROGRAM GRANTS

Lincoln, January 9, 2024- The Nebraska Public Service Commission
has approved an Order (C-5484) awarding 22 grants totaling nearly
$20 million from the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program (NBBP).

“We are pleased that carriers continue to utilize this program as a
viable way to help provide broadband to unserved and underserved
Nebraskans,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier.

Created by the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act (Neb. Rev. Stat § 86
1301-1310) the NBBP provides up to $20 million dollars annually for
the development of broadband networks capable of at least 100/100
Mbps (up/down) in unserved and underserved areas of the state.

During the 2023 grant cycle, the Commission received 51
applications for funding through the NBBP. As part of the grant
review process, the Commission also received challenges from
parties stating that they already served an area covered by a
grant application, or plan to provide service to the area in the
near future.

Upon review of the applications and the challenges received the
Commission determined 22 submissions would be funded. The
grants awarded were submitted by 10 providers for a total of
$19,713,379.26. Projects funded through today’s awards must
be completed by July 9, 2025. Providers may apply for one six-
month extension.

Commissioner Watermeier said, “ We look forward to watching these
projects come to fruition access to broadband continues to increase
throughout the state.”

A detailed list of projects approved through the 2023 grant cycle and
funding amounts can be found on the Nebraska Broadband Bridge
Program page of the PSC website. ###

Contact:  Deb Collins- Communications & Media Mgr.
(402) 471-0226 / deb.collins@nebraska.gov