Gottheimer announces new federally-backed grant program for broadband in Sussex County

SUSSEX COUNTY — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Tuesday announced new federal investment secured for New Jersey to ensure that every family has access to high-quality, high-speed, affordable internet.

The new $50 million federal investment will be made available through the New Jersey Broadband Infrastructure Development Equity program, or NJBIDE, and will invest in fiber-optic technology and the last-mile infrastructure needed to build resilient and reliable networks in Sussex County and rural communities across Jersey.

“Too many kids have to drive to the local library or McDonald’s and sit in the parking lot to get connected and do their homework. And many seniors can’t get online from their home for a doctor’s appointment, which makes things even harder when your doctor is far away, or you have a mobility issue,” Gottheimer said. “Today, after strong oversight and advocacy, Governor Murphy has made $50 million available in federal funding to invest in the fiber-optic technology and the kind of last-mile infrastructure we need to build resilient and reliable networks.”

“Despite how far we’ve come, we still have many families, especially in our Jersey rural communities here and in South Jersey, that lack high-speed connectivity. We have towns like Hardyston, Lafayette, Montague, Sandyston, Wantage, and West Milford, where fewer than half of households have access to fiber, high-speed internet. It may sound audacious, but I’m focused on doing even more,” Gottheimer said.

Broadband Access Issues in Jersey and Across America:

• In towns like Hardyston, Lafayette, Montague, Sandyston, Wantage, and West Milford, fewer than half of households have access to fiber, high-speed internet
• Just five years ago, one in six people in New Jersey — more than 1.4 million people — lacked broadband access at home.
• Fifteen percent of Americans — nearly 50 million people — rely solely on their smartphone to access the internet
• One in five households across our country still aren’t connected to the Internet.
• Across America, households pay an average of $118 a month for internet and cable service.

Investments to Expand Access to Broadband in Jersey:

• $50 million from legislation Gottheimer helped pass and sign into law to invest in the New Jersey Broadband Infrastructure Development Equity (NJBIDE) program.
  • This program will invest in fiber-optic technology and the kind of last-mile infrastructure needed to build resilient and reliable networks in rural communities like Sussex and Warren County.
  • Nonprofits, cooperatives, utilities, internet providers, and towns can all seek funding to build infrastructure.
• $523 million coming to New Jersey through the “Internet for All” initiative.
  • This is a collection of federal programs from the Department of Commerce, Treasury, and the FCC that build broadband infrastructure and ensure Americans have the devices they need to get online.
• $27 million to Sussex County during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the American Rescue Plan to invest in broadband infrastructure.

Previous Broadband Investment Gottheimer Helped Clawback to Jersey:

• COVID CARES 2 package which Gottheimer helped negotiate this package with the Problem Solvers Caucus.
  • The package included resources for broadband programs nationwide, and established the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to help low-income households access broadband
  • The package also included resources for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program to help healthcare providers treat COVID patients through connected care technologies.
    • Eight health care providers in Jersey received investments, totaling nearly $4.5 million clawed back to our state. This included more than $700,000 for Zufall Health Center, which has locations in Newton and Hackettstown.

Gottheimer was joined by Planet Networks CEO Robert Boyle.