WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. — Madison County will use a nearly $10 million grant to bring broadband Internet service to unserved residents in the southern part of Madison County, including Cazenovia, Morrisville, New Woodstock, Hamilton, and Brookfield.
The Madison County Connect Project is the recipient of grant funding from the New York State ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced.
Officials will use the money to expand the Madison County Connect project that is already underway as part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ReConnect grant the County received in 2021. Madison County will continue to partner with Empire Access to build 120 miles of fiber to connect more than 2,600 homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions with high-quality, affordable internet. The county will own the network, which Empire Access will operate, per the Madison County announcement.
(Sponsored)
Ask the Expert: Solving Your Workforce Challenges with Registered Apprenticeship
Finding skilled workers isn’t getting any easier. Whether you’re facing retirements, turnover, or a lack of qualified candidates, you’re not alone. Businesses across every industry are struggling to fill critical
Can a Generative AI Use Policy for the Workplace Help Protect Sensitive Data?
Artificial intelligence is a buzzword for many industries. It has good and bad effects on the future of creating content, finding information, and other uses. So, what does this mean
Syracuse Utilities is currently constructing the Madison County Connect project. The plan is to have the construction of phase 1 of the USDA-funded current project complete by the end of 2025. Residents in Cazenovia, Chittenango, Oneida and parts of Munnsville will soon have the option of a “high-quality, affordable” service through Empire Access, per the announcement.
“Madison County set out over six years ago to ensure that everyone in our community truly had access to reliable high-speed internet,” Madison County Administrator Mark Scimone said in the announcement. “Our society revolves around being online, whether it is for school, health care, or even for fun. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be able to access high-speed, reliable internet. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for the ConnectALL funding so that we can make sure to serve even more of our Madison County residents and businesses.”
Network construction involves three phases. Phase 1 will include Sullivan, Chittenango, Lenox, Canastota, Lincoln, Oneida, Stockbridge, Fenner, Cazenovia, and Smithfield. Phase 2 will begin construction this winter. The ConnectALL portion will be built simultaneously. The network is beginning in the northern half of the county so it connects to the Empire Access network that already exists.
In 2021, Madison County received a USDA ReConnect Grant totaling about $12.8 million. The full project will cost $18.6 million, with a $3.4 million match from Madison County and $2.4 million investment from Empire Access. Madison County has worked with its partners at the USDA, New York Engineering Services, ECC Technologies, and Empire Access to make this project a reality.
