Gov Cuomo re-announces $500 million broadband initiative

Gov Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) formally announced his proposed $500 million broadband expansion plan, via a press release and a Lake Placid press conference held by Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY).

The program will offer $500 million in public funds for Internet service providers willing to match the state dollar-for-dollar. ISPs will be required to offer 100 megabits per second download speeds for the expansion, though “in certain limited cases, providers may offer 25 Mbps speeds to the most remote unserved and underserved areas of the state.” The expansion program will be built using plans developed by Cuomo’s hand-picked Regional Economic Development Councils, which have driven his economic grant programs since their formation in 2011. It was not immediately clear when the councils would submit their recommendations.