The small Rogers County town of Tiawah was the site of the most recent high-speed internet expansion project by the Oklahoma Broadband Office.
An official launching ceremony for the eight projects totaling $34.2 million was held Friday by the OBO and internet service provider Atlas Broadband. The projects, funded through $17.1 million in federal grants awarded by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board coupled with dollar-for-dollar matching contributions from Atlas, will connect 2,135 homes and businesses with broadband internet using fiber optic technology.
The grants awarded to Atlas Broadband will expand high-speed internet service in Rogers, Osage, Nowata and Tulsa counties. Friday’s event exemplifies the progress being made statewide to get high-speed internet access to all Oklahomans, according to the announcement by the Broadband Office.
Two of the projects are in Rogers County and total $10.4 million. They will result in fiber connections to 619 locations in Justice and Tiawah, southeast of Claremore.
OBO and Atlas officials, along with local legislators, federal officials and municipal officials attended the event.
“Today’s launch marks more than the rollout of fiber broadband – it’s the foundation of opportunity, growth, and connection in every corner of Oklahoma. With each mile of broadband service we extend, we’re not just closing a digital gap; we’re igniting a future where our rural communities thrive, and prosperity abounds.” said OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders.
“We are extremely grateful to the Oklahoma Broadband Office for their vote of confidence to assist in our mission to bring fiber internet to rural households and businesses in Northeastern Oklahoma,” said Milos Milenkovic, Atlas Owner and CEO.
Grants of some $525 million have been awarded by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board. When matching funds from the internet service providers building the projects are added, the total investment is more than $840 million.
At least one project is slated to be built in 59 of the state’s 77 counties. Over 180 projects have been awarded to provide high-speed access to more than 69,000 homes and businesses.
ISPs are now competing for more than $768 million in additional grant funds through the 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.