Rhode Island receives over $100 million to expand high-speed internet access

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Sen. Jack Reed said Rhode Island will receive $108.7 million in federal funds to expand the reach of high-speed internet across the state.

The money comes from President Joe Biden’s bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, specifically the act’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment funding.

The state will be able to distribute the funds to non-profits, public-private partnerships, private companies, utilities and local governments with the goal of providing high-speed internet access to all Rhode Islanders.

“This is good news for the state that will help improve connectivity for thousands of Rhode Islanders in underserved communities that currently lack reliable high-speed Internet service,” Reed said.