BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced the Idaho Dept. of Commerce has awarded the state $48.9 million in federal coronavirus relief funds. The money is to be used for 102 different economic development and remote learning projects.
The Idaho Commerce received a total of 137 applications requesting $83 million in grant funding.
The money will supply over 43,000 underserved, rural households with broadband internet connectivity. Public safety and local government will receive 23 of the 102 grants.
"In the short-term, this investment in broadband connectivity will assist with our ongoing COVID-19 response by supporting student remote learning, telehealth, work-from-home opportunities in more parts of the state, and improved government services," Little said. "In the long-term, we will see better opportunities for economic development in underserved parts of Idaho."
Grants will also provide broadband infrastructure to households, public safety organizations, medical clinics, hospitals and local governments in need. Priority is given to communities of less than 3,000 people and communities that are underserved.
"We appreciate the $50 million in CARES Act funding approved by the Governor's Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee for new Idaho broadband infrastructure in areas identified by the Governor's Broadband Task Force last year," Commerce Director Tom Kealey said. "These projects will help many rural communities and tens of thousands of households with new high-speed internet service for remote learning, working, local government services and telehealth access."
Watch more 'Local News'
See them all in our YouTube playlist:
