(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), alongside U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), applauded the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announcement approving New Hampshire’s Final Proposals to deliver universal broadband access through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. This important step means that within 50 days New Hampshire will receive $18.6 million dollars in grant funding to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure. The announcement comes after the delegation called on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to reverse changes to the BEAD program that have delayed the disbursement of funding for broadband expansion across New Hampshire.
“Having worked on the broadband provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I know how important internet connectivity is for small businesses to grow and compete, for students to learn and thrive and for those in remote areas to access health care,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m glad Commerce approved New Hampshire’s BEAD proposal so that we can take a great leap towards increasing access to broadband in every corner of the state.”
“Everyone deserves access to high-speed, reliable internet no matter where they live,” said Senator Hassan. “I worked with my colleagues to negotiate and pass the bipartisan infrastructure law to help expand access to reliable internet, and am glad to see our state one step closer to ensuring that everyone has access to broadband. I will continue to push for federal funding that supports Granite state families and small businesses and ensures that communities across our state, including in rural areas, can grow and thrive.”
“Under the bipartisan infrastructure law, Congress worked together to approve critical investments that are making our communities safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Access to high-speed internet is a necessity for every city and town, and it helps businesses compete, ensures students can learn, and allows patients to see a provider. This funding should never have been threatened or delayed, and I’m relieved that it will soon be delivered to New Hampshire,” said Congressman Pappas. “I will continue working to secure resources that modernize our infrastructure and improve Granite Staters’ quality of life.”
“Access to reliable, high-speed internet is not a luxury. It is a lifeline and economic driver for hardworking families, small businesses, farmers, and rural communities across our state,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “I look forward to seeing these federal dollars put to work quickly and effectively to deliver for New Hampshire.”
As a lead negotiator of the broadband provisions included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Senator Shaheen worked with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) to include authorization of the BEAD Program. The program provides funding to states to improve access to high-speed internet and ensure that Americans have access to the high-quality internet service they need for the 21st century economy. In total, Shaheen successfully secured $65 billion to support broadband affordability and deployment programs across the nation including nearly $200 million for New Hampshire.
Senator Hassan helped negotiate key provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure law on high-speed internet, passenger rail, coastal resiliency, and cybersecurity. The bill also incorporates elements of bipartisan legislation Senator Hassan authored to support rural broadband using private activity bonds to help pay for high-speed internet infrastructure in unserved locations, an approach that allows state and local governments to access and leverage new sources of capital and attract investment for broadband.
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