Oneida County Economic Development Director Roger Luce was putting the final touches on a grant application Thursday that, if approved, could have a large impact on some underserved broadband areas.
The grant application is for more than $400,000 with a local fund match of more than $180,000. Luce says the project will add new equipment on existing Oneida county towers and , if approved, will impact a much larger portion of Oneida county that is underserved....
"......this particular grant, if we receive it, will impact about 310 square miles within the county...."
Oneida county chipped in $13,000 of the match, with the towns of Newbold, Crescent, and Sugar Camp contributing, as are private enterprises Pitlik and Wick, Sowinski Farms, Honey Rock Camp, a private group in Cassian and Internet provider Northwoods Connect. Luce says the public-private partnership project will add new equipment on existing Oneida county towers...
"......we're going to utilize about 7 communications towers in this project. It's going to be a mix of existing and new. It will provide support for some of the local fire departments and other emergency services. We think we have a real strong application...."
Luce says they should hear back from the state sometime in August whether they are successful.
