PSC Awards Capital Projects Fund Grants For Broadband Buildout

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

               PSC AWARDS CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND GRANTS
                              FOR BROADBAND BUILDOUT
 

Lincoln, June 27, 2023- The Nebraska Public Service Commission
today approved an Order in docket CPF-1 awarding 65 grants
totaling more than $61 million from the 2023 Capital ProjectsFund
(CPF) Grant Program.

“The Capital Projects Fund is another opportunity for qualified
applicants to bring broadband to Nebraskans most in need of these
services,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier. “Through this first
round of grants, we are able to fund 65 eligible broadband projects.”

CPF grants are awarded by the PSC by in Congressional Districts
One and Three. At least $40 million in grant funding was available
in each congressional district for eligible broadband projects.

During the 2023 CPF grant cycle, the PSC received 130 applications
for funding. 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 they plan to provide service
to the area in the near future.

Upon review of the applications and challenges received the PSC
determined 65 submissions would be funded. Of the 65 grants
awarded 27 were awarded in Congressional District One, totaling
$40.3 million.In Congressional District Three, 38 grants were
awarded totaling $21.03 million. 

Projects receiving grant awards during the 2023 grant cycle are
required to be completed by December 27, 2024, unless granted
an extension by the Commission.

With funding remaining in district three, the Commission plans to
open an additional window for CPF applications. Projects that were
not approved during the initial funding round may be resubmitted for
consideration during the additional grant funding cycle.

Commissioner Watermeier said, “We want to distribute the entire
amount of grant funding available and would encourage providers in
Congressional District Three whose projects were not approved to
consider resubmitting their application during the additional grant
cycle.” ###

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