GHENT—The Town Board has approved using federal funds from ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) to finish a plan to make broadband internet access available to all residents. The board designated the funds for that purpose at the July 21 board meeting.
The town received over $420,000 in ARPA funds and will use about $180,000 to complete the broadband project. Town Board member Patti Matheney said she hopes that the project would be done by the end of the year. The town has contracts with two providers, Mid-Hudson Cable and Consolidated Communications.
Town Supervisor Craig Simmons said Ms. Matheney had been “incredible” at negotiating contracts with those companies.
Councilwoman Matheney said it had taken seven years to finish this project in Ghent. “We have worked really hard to get this accomplished,” she said. She stressed that now, “I want the county to do their part” in making broadband available to the rest of the county. Read more…