How Are State Broadband Offices Putting Federal Funds to Work?

For state technology leaders, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act marks a unique opportunity to move the needle on broadband availability and accessibility. State CIOs and others in state government tasked with promoting connectivity are looking to the $65 billion earmarked for broadband as a key means to help bring affordable Internet to all Americans. Every state will get $100 million to spend on broadband once the money starts flowing, and while the final formulas haven’t been worked out, many states expect to receive significantly more over time. Executive director of the ConnectMaine Authority Peggy Schaffer has heard estimates as high as $300 million or more for her state’s piece of that pie. “It’s a significant amount of money for the state,” she said. Experts say that the infrastructure spending could go a long way toward closing connectivity gaps in underserved communities. Maryland, Maine and Utah share their plans for putting those resources to use.