Final Round Of Statewide Broadband Access Program Starting

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state is getting closer to a goal of providing broadband internet to every corner of the Empire State by the end of this year.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo was in northern New York earlier this week to announce the start of the third and final round of the program bringing access to high-speed internet. The Democrat announced in Plattsburgh on Wednesday that nearly $210 million in state funding will provide more than 120,000 homes, business and institutions with broadband, closing the final gap.

The program was launched in 2015 after Cuomo vowed to connect all New Yorkers to quality, speedy internet access by the end of 2018.

Officials say providing all New Yorkers with broadband access is vital for strengthening the state's economy.