Rep. Tom Reed recently announced a $395,000 grant to the Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board for the Southwest New York Wireless Broadband project. The project will provide 25 Mbps internet service to 2,300 household and 206 businesses currently without access to broadband internet in the Southern Tier.

“We care about ensuring our friends and neighbors have reliable access to broadband internet,” Reed said. “The funds delivered with this grant will purchase and install fixed wireless broadband equipment and backhaul fiber at eight cell towers in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties where the area’s hilly land and low density have discouraged the private sector from deploying broadband which left thousands without access to reliable high-speed internet.”

“This project will bridge the broadband service gap, create opportunities for economic development and boost higher education opportunities,” Reed concluded.

“I congratulate Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board for being a FY 2019 POWER grantee and commend them on the leadership they have shown in their community,” said Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Federal Co-Chairman Tim Thomas. “POWER grants are playing a critical role in supporting coal-impacted communities in the Appalachian Region as they diversify economies, invest in growth-oriented infrastructure, train a next-generation workforce, and ingrain resiliency and hope into their local fabric. Projects like this help ensure a prosperous future for Appalachia.”

In addition to ARC funds, local sources will provide $399,000 in funding, bringing the total project funding to $794,000.