Five More States to Receive Money from Capital Projects Fund

WASHINGTON, August 30 – The Treasury Department announced Tuesday that five more states – Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Nebraska and North Dakota – will receive grants from the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund to finance new broadband development.

Arkansas will receive $47.5 million, Indiana $87 million, and Nebraska $87.7 million for high-speed internet to rural areas among other projects. Connecticut, which will receive $40.8 million, plans to “target low-income and multi-family homes and areas,” and North Dakota, with $45 million, will address broadband deficiencies in tribal lands.

The $10-billion fund, infused from the American Rescue Plan of 2021, is seen by the department as a “precursor” to the $42.5 billion in broadband infrastructure money from the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act, Joseph Wender, the fund’s director, previously told Broadband Breakfast. States can use CPF awards to build out broadband infrastructure and to provide individuals with devices necessary for internet access.

The Treasury Department’s guidance mandates that states can only pay out CPF funds to service providers that participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program, a fund of the Federal Communications Commission which provides discounts on internet services and devices to eligible households.