Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program
Middle mile infrastructure is any broadband infrastructure that does not connect directly to an end-user location. The Middle Mile Grant Program provides funding for the expansion and extension of middle mile infrastructure across U.S. states and territories. In total, the program allocated $980 million to fund projects for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure covering more than 370 counties across 40 states and Puerto Rico in Summer 2023. The ultimate purpose of this funding is to expand and strengthen U.S. high-speed internet networks by reducing the cost of connecting areas that are unserved or underserved to the internet backbone.
Government, industry, nonprofits, other associations, and partnerships of two or more entities are eligible to receive Middle Mile funding.
Eligible uses of funds include:
• Construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment
• Engineering design, permitting, and work related to project reviews
• Personnel costs, including salaries, and benefits for staff and consultants
• Other costs necessary to programmatic activities
Click here for the most up-to-date information on the Middle Mile program.
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Why Middle Mile Matters
Middle mile infrastructure bridges the gap between where information is stored and the people interacting with it – it's an essential part of reliable, high-speed Internet access. Because of the nation’s middle mile networks, anyone in America can transfer data across the world, enabling community, competition, learning, and well-being.
Middle mile infrastructure may carry traffic via undersea cables that stretch to the farthest American territories, or it may “backhaul” wireless traffic for an antenna mounted on a wireless network tower to the provider’s wired network through fiber-optic connections. It may bring high-speed Internet to previously unserved Tribal or Native lands or may simply enable connectivity in urban neighborhoods where no connections were previously available.
The Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program is a competitive, $1 billion program funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the construction, improvement or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure. The application period for the program is currently open, and eligible entities are encouraged to apply to participate in the program. The application window will close on September 30, 2022.
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