This second tranche of funding aims to enhance internet access 881 locations all of which are unserved (lacking 25/3 Mbps service) or lack sufficient broadband service for projects in Malheur and Lincoln counties. 

Friday, December 13, 2024

The Oregon Broadband Office is excited to announce it has issued Notices of Intent to Award the second tranche of funding for the Broadband Deployment Program. In tranche two, $9,488,246 will be awarded to Home Telephone Company’s project, “Nyssa Regional Link Expansion.” It will provide 100/100 service at $49.99/month to 800 currently unserved locations in Malheur county. Additionally, $3,359,260 will be awarded to the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians’ project, “Expanding Broadband Access for the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.” It will provide 100/100 service to 81 currently unserved locations in Lincoln County.  

Oregon Broadband Office is distributing a total of $141,560,998 through the Office’s Broadband Deployment Program (BDP), part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF). The initial tranche of funding press release can be found here. It will support the construction and deployment of high-speed, reliable wired broadband internet at speeds of 100/100 Mbps to unserved and underserved locations across the state.

“High-speed, reliable internet is a modern essential,” Governor Kotek said. “Our broadband infrastructure is the lifeblood of Oregon businesses and communities, and these grants will help ensure that we’re not leaving communities behind.”

Awardees were ranked based on a composite score that prioritizes outcomes:

• Social Vulnerability Index – Applicants receive a 5% score bonus if 80% or more of their proposed project service locations are located within areas designated as “Moderate to High” or “High” on the state of Oregon’s Social Vulnerability Index.
• Unserved Locations— 5 points for other eligible locations where wired 25/3 service already exists).
• Affordability – Applicants with projects that can offer service at $30/month or less receive an additional 5 points per location. Applicants with projects that can provide service at $50/month or less receive two additional points per location.

The Broadband Deployment Program Handbook is available on the Program’s website and outlines the selection process and criteria used to determine awardees.

Eligible applicants included municipalities, private and for-profit entities, electric utilities, co-operatives, municipal affiliates (economic development corporations, regional planning and development councils, and councils of government), nonprofit organizations, and partnerships between eligible applicants. All awarded funds must be utilized, and projects must be operational by December 2026.

Awards are subject to meeting all conditions of the Award and coming to terms with OBO to timely execute a Grant Agreement.  The conditions of the award will be sent out to each Awardee via email to the contact provided in the application.

For more information about the Oregon Broadband Office, visit www.broadband.oregon.gov.