FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PSC Awards Internet Enhancement Fund Grants
Lincoln, May 6, 2020 – The Nebraska Public Service
Commission (PSC) has awarded two $25,000 grants
from the Nebraska Internet Enhancement Fund (NIEF)
to Dawes and Deuel Counties for 2020.
“These monies will be used to further efforts to help
ensure rural Nebraskans receive access to internet and
telecommunication services,” said Commissioner Mary
Ridder, Chairman Nebraska Public Service Commission.
“It is our hope this grant will lead to future projects that
will help to enhance rural and economic development in
these areas.”
The grant approved for Dawes County will be used to help
fund a project to bring fiber to several homes in the rural
Belmont area of the county. The grant for Deuel County
will enable upgrades to a fixed wireless network in and
around the communities of Big Springs and Chappell.
These upgrades will allow speeds of 50 megabits per
second (Mbps) download/ 10 Mbps upload to residences
in the area.
Established in 2001 by the Nebraska Legislature, the NIEF
uses a share of the proceeds from public entities that lease
dark fiber optics to fund grants for infrastructure projects
that deliver broadband or other advanced
telecommunications products. The grants focus on areas of
the state that are unserved or underserved by such services.
To date the PSC has awarded $800,000 in funds from the
NIEF to a number of cities and counties across the state.
Commissioner Ridder said, “We were pleased with the number
and quality of applications received and hope to award more
grants in the future.”
for more information on applying for a NIEF grant visit the
NIEF information page of the PSC website @ http://tiny.cc/
PSCNIEF Information ###
Contact:
Deb Collins- Media & Communications Mgr.
(402) 471-0226
deb.collins@nebraska.gov
