Town hoping for ‘big impact’ from federal broadband funding

United States Senator Chuck Schumer made an announcement on June 27 that is beneficial for the Town of Dryden.

Schumer noted in a release that New York state will receive $664,618,251 in federal funding from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act to be used for “providing affordable high-speed internet to locations in New York that currently have no broadband service.”

According to the release, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program (BEAD). BEAD, which includes $42 million, aided in generating close to $670 million for the state.

“[The nearly $670 million in federal funding] is now on its way to expand broadband infrastructure and boost high-quality internet access across New York,” Schumer said. “Whether it is for work, school, or getting the healthcare you need, access to the internet is not a luxury, but a necessity for modern life. Long before the [COVID-19] pandemic, communities across New York, from rural communities Upstate to bustling city neighborhoods, have struggled to obtain reliable high-speed internet service. I am proud to deliver this record setting nearly $670 million for New York to help finally close the digital divide. New York, under Governor [Kathy] Hochul’s leadership, is leading the charge to get all New Yorkers the equitable access to the internet they deserve, and this major federal investment will help finally give our communities the support they need to succeed in the 21st century.”

With this federal funding coming to the state, the town of Dryden is hoping to get its fair share for the Dryden Fiber project.

“We’re hoping it has a big impact,” said Dryden town Deputy Supervisor Dan Lamb. “This is the largest amount of federal funds ever provided for broadband.”

Dryden Fiber, a $15 million project that began in 2019, is the first municipal broadband provider in New York state, and it started providing service in November. The pilot portion of the project, which covers the southwest portion of the town into Etna, is covered by $2 million in federal COVID-19 disaster relief funding, an Appalachian Regional Commission grant and bond money.

The BEAD funding will go to the state’s ConnectALL office. ConnectALL strives to “build New York State’s digital infrastructure and connect all New Yorkers through the internet,” according to the state’s website.

Lamb previously noted that the BEAD funding will be added to the $300 million that ConnectALL already has stored. This means that the state has nearly a billion dollars in federal funding for broadband service, Lamb added.

The BEAD program will unveil guidelines and how municipalities can apply for funding next month, Lamb said.

“It’s an impressive investment by the federal government,” Lamb said. “It’s a sign of a level of partnership from the federal government with the state and local governments.”

The town is hoping to receive a few million dollars for Dryden Fiber, Lamb said. Town supervisor Jason Leifer, along with Lamb, recently had a session with ConnectALL policymakers and grant administrators to aid in putting Dryden Fiber further on the map.

“They’re very interested in [Dryden Fiber] because we’re more upfront than a lot of these other municipalities,” Lamb said.

With fiber laid down around the Dryden Rail Trail and the eastern side of the town, the town would use additional federal funding to install fiber on the western side of the town, West Dryden Road and eventually the northeastern section of the town.

“This will allow us to lay backbone fiber in more areas of the town,” Lamb said, noting the several phases of Dryden Fiber.

Lamb noted that the state will distribute funds to underserved areas in the near future, including the town.

For more information, go to drydenfiber.com.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Wednesday Wildlife Reading Buddies program begins July 12

Starting July 12, Southworth Library will host Wednesday Wildlife Reading Buddies at Montgomery Park in the village of Dryden.

The program will take place every Wednesday until the middle of August. Events begin at noon.

Dates for Wednesday Wildlife Reading Buddies are as follows:

• July 12 – Llama Party
• July 19 – Bunny Foo Foo Club
• July 26 – Paws to Read
• Aug. 2 – The Turtle Doctor
• Aug. 9 – Cinder the Mini Horse and her friends
• Aug. 16 – Paws to Read

Participants will have an opportunity to meet and learn about new animal friends every week. The programs will include stories, crafts, a free lunch and the kids’ farmers market. A free book will also be provided to read and take home.

Registration for Wednesday Wildlife Reading Buddies is here.

Town of Dryden meetings in July

The Dryden Town Board is scheduled to meet on July 13 and July 20. Both meetings will begin at 6 p.m. at the town hall at 93 E. Main St.All of Dryden’s town board meetings are open to the public in person or via Zoom. Further information on meetings is available on the Town of Dryden website.