A sweeping push to close New York’s digital divide is delivering a significant share of new broadband funding to counties across the Finger Lakes and Central New York, targeting rural gaps that have persisted for years.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced more than $540 million in combined public and private investment through the ConnectALL initiative, part of a federal program aimed at connecting unserved and underserved homes and businesses statewide.
Several counties in the Finger Lakes and surrounding region are among those set to benefit directly from the funding, which will expand high-speed internet access using a mix of fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite technology.
One of the largest awards includes more than $121 million to CBN America, which will serve thousands of locations in counties including Yates County, Schuyler County, and Madison County with fiber infrastructure. The same provider will also deploy fixed wireless service across a broader footprint that includes Cayuga County, Ontario County, Seneca County, Wayne County, and Steuben County.
Additional funding will reach the region through other providers. Verizon received more than $56 million to expand fiber service in parts of Central New York, including Oneida County and Oswego County. Satellite-based service from Space Exploration Technologies Corp. will extend coverage across dozens of counties, including several in western and central New York where traditional infrastructure is harder to deploy.
State officials said the effort targets the final segment of New York households still lacking reliable broadband access — roughly 58,000 locations — many of them in rural or hard-to-reach areas.
The funding includes $287 million in federal support, $7 million from the state, and $248 million in private investment from participating internet providers. Projects will now move into environmental review before construction begins.
Leaders at the state and federal level emphasized the economic and social impact of the investment, noting that broadband access is critical for education, healthcare, and workforce participation — particularly in rural communities that have lagged behind more urban areas.
The expansion also builds on New York’s Affordable Broadband Act, which requires providers to offer low-cost service options to qualifying households, ensuring that new infrastructure translates into accessible service for residents.
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