Rural New York Broadband Project Hailed for Unique Collaboration

The effort to bring broadband Internet service to rural areas of Niagara and Orleans counties in New York could be accomplished at an initial cost of $2 million to $3 million, although the total cost could range up to $5 million, Niagara County lawmaker David E. Godfrey said. Godfrey and his partner in the effort, Orleans County Legislature Vice Chairwoman Lynne M. Johnson, were honored on June 11 at a state broadband summit in Albany (NY) for leading the most collaborative broadband project in the state.

Godfrey said the Niagara-Orleans Regional Alliance has zeroed in on one contractor to install the rural broadband facilities, although he said the identity of the company would not be released until all the paperwork is signed, including a commitment from the office of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (R-NY) to allow state “smart schools” funds to be applied to the project. If that money, which was intended for technology projects in schools, legally can be applied to the proposal, it would cover half the expense, Godfrey said. The program envisions the use of the money for rural broadband projects led by school districts, not by counties. The state has allocated $13.7 million in smart-schools aid to districts whose communities are taking part in the Niagara-Orleans broadband effort.