NY: Underserved communities will largely benefit from a $665 million federal fund for high-speed internet.

In a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul this week, a group of New York State legislators urged her to give underserved communities priority when allocating $665 million in high-speed internet funding from the federal government.

Sen. Tom O’Mara (R-Big Flats) stated, “I think Elmira and the surrounding areas (underserved communities), particularly our rural areas that have no service at all, need to be the priorities.”

Sen. O’Mara noted that although the state has recently talked frequently about providing internet access to all residents, some underserved communities still lack it.

For New Yorkers, O’Mara added, this access is essential, especially for underserved communities.

While hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent in New York, he noted, “there are still many underserved communities and unserved people throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes region that I represent and throughout upstate New York.”

The Biden-Harris administration’s Invest in America Agenda, which aims to give $40 billion in government funds for high-speed internet across the country, prioritizing the underserved communities, includes high-speed internet awards.

Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY 20th Congressional District) paid a community college in the Capitol Region a visit a few weeks ago.

“My advice to Congress during this session is don’t go back; let’s keep moving forward. I consider it a deposit. Already, I’ve been asked to vote in committee to repeal these initiatives. “The vote is negative,” stated Rep. Tonko.

The high-speed internet grants are part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Invest in America Agenda, which aims to invest $40 billion in high-speed internet across the country including the underserved communities.

US Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY 20th Congressional District) paid a visit to a community college in the Capitol Region a few weeks ago.

Rep. Tonko advises Congress not to go back and continue moving forward. He sees it as a downpayment. “Already people are asking me to vote in committee to undo these programs. The vote is no,” Rep. Tonko said.

The underserved communities of the country will greatly benefit from this project as they will be able to access things much more easily and gain wide opportunities.