The latest broadband launch held in Bray on Tuesday featuring Gov. Kevin Stitt and others included nearly $66 million in projects to offer expanded broadband service to more than 2,000 customers.
“Expanding high-speed, reliable internet access is a game changer for Oklahoma families, businesses, and communities,” said Governor Stitt. “This investment ensures even our most rural areas have the tools to fully compete in our economy. We’re delivering on an important promise to make Oklahoma Top Ten in infrastructure and opportunity.”
The governor joined Oklahoma Broadband Office leaders in starting the projects awarded to Hilliary Communications, a Lawton-based company that will manage the $65.9 million for high-speed internet expansion in the rural areas of southern Oklahoma.
The projects, funded through $43.2 million in federal grants administered by the OBO will be coupled with $22.8 million in matching funds from companies under the Hilliary brand including, Medicine Park Telephone, Oklahoma Fiber Network, Oklahoma Western Telephone, Phoenix Long Distance, Southern Plains Cable, Southwest Oklahoma Telephone, and Texhoma Fiber.
The projects will connect 2,007 homes and businesses with broadband internet using fiber optic technology. The awards from ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) were made earlier this year by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board.
Tuesday’s event provides examples of the progress being made statewide to get high-speed internet access to all Oklahomans. Hilliary projects are scheduled in 11 counties: Atoka, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Jackson, Kiowa, Latimer, Le Flore, Pittsburg, Stephens and Washita counties.
“Today’s launch is more than just the laying of fiber – it’s the foundation for opportunity, growth, and connectivity in every corner of Oklahoma. With each mile of broadband we expand, we’re not just bridging a digital divide, we’re empowering our communities for a brighter, more prosperous future,” said OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders.
“Hilliary Communications is proud to be at the forefront of delivering fiber broadband to rural communities across the country, including this latest expansion project that expands fiber connections to the entire community of Bray,” said Dustin Hilliary, co-CEO of Hilliary Communications. “This project exemplifies our long-standing commitment to connecting rural America from the heart of Oklahoma. It puts us one step closer to ensuring every rural community has access to the latest high-speed internet needed to thrive in tomorrow’s economy.”
“Hilliary Communications is eager to launch expanded fiber internet across Bray, Oklahoma,” said Edward Hilliary, Jr., co-CEO of Hilliary Communications. “Rural economies are the backbone of our country, and Hilliary is proud to invest in rural broadband expansion to ensure a brighter future for rural communities across America.”
ARPA-SLFRF-awarded grant projects will result in some 50,000 homes and businesses statewide being served with affordable and reliable high-speed internet. But the growth of broadband access across Oklahoma is just beginning.
In September, the Governing Board gave tentative approval to over $159 million in ARPA Capital Projects Fund grants to 12 internet service providers for 50 projects in 28 counties.
Now, ISPs are competing for more than $750 million in additional grant funds through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
With tens of thousands of locations to be served through OBO administered programs, the office is on pace to complete its mission of achieving statewide coverage.