Massachusetts is seeking $105 million in federal economic stimulus funds to improve broadband access in the western part of the state, and to draw an accurate map of available broadband services statewide.
The Massachusetts Broadband Institute filed its request for the funds on Aug. 14. The agency wants to spend $100 million to create a fiber-optic data network that would reach into 43 western Massachusetts communities that now have little or no broadband access. The network would be used by municipal governments and would sell access to private companies, which in turn could sell broadband services to households and businesses.
The state estimates the project could create up to 3,000 jobs, and bring high-speed Internet service to more than 20,000 households and 5,700 businesses. It is also seeking $5 million to pay for a survey of the state’s broadband resources.
