Broadband Funds To Boost Access In Western NY, Finger Lakes

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — More than $210 million in state grants is being awarded to scores of municipalities from Buffalo to Westchester to bring broadband internet access to thousands of New York homes and businesses.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday that seven separate grants totaling $214 million will be shared by localities in western, central and northern New York, the Finger Lakes region, the Southern Tier, the Mohawk Valley, the Albany area and the Hudson Valley.

When the projects are completed, another 125,000-plus homes and business will have access to high-speed broadband.

The funding is part of Cuomo's 2015 initiative to provide broadband access to all New Yorkers by the end of this year.

Economic development officials say providing all New Yorkers with broadband access is vital for boosting the state's economy.