Governor Kathy Hochul is ramping up efforts to close the digital divide in New York, announcing nearly $50 million in new funding through Phase 4 of the ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program.
The funding, part of a broader $300 million commitment, aims to support high-speed internet projects in unserved and underserved areas across the state. Municipalities have until April 25 to apply through the state’s Consolidated Funding Application portal.
“This is about equity and opportunity,” Governor Hochul said. “Reliable, affordable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity for New Yorkers to fully participate in our modern economy and society.”
The expansion is backed by federal funds from the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund. To date, ConnectALL has awarded more than $240 million, enabling the construction of nearly 2,400 miles of fiber infrastructure and connecting close to 100,000 homes and businesses.
The new phase continues Hochul’s push to shift broadband infrastructure toward a more public model. It emphasizes open-access and municipally controlled networks, which state officials say will increase competition and lower costs for residents.
“The Municipal Infrastructure Program represents a transformative approach that puts communities in the driver’s seat,” said Empire State Development President and CEO Hope Knight.
Phase 4 will also help lay the groundwork for the Excelsior Broadband Network — a statewide public broadband backbone starting with a fiber line running the length of the New York State Thruway.
Support for the expansion is pouring in from state legislators, county officials, and advocacy groups. Leaders say the funding will provide a critical boost to areas left behind by traditional internet service providers.
Senator Charles Schumer, who helped secure the federal dollars, called broadband “a utility as vital as electricity” and said the investment will expand access to jobs, education, and health care.
Applications for Phase 4 funding are open now, with full program details available on the ConnectALL website.
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