Booker, Menendez Announce $24 Million Grant to Expand Broadband in South Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) announced a $24.18 million grant for Cumberland County and Salem County to expand broadband infrastructure to serve underserved residents with slow or no broadband.

The grant, administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), will fund the construction of 220 route miles of fiber throughout the two counties, especially along paths that are underserved by current providers.

“Broadband access is the backbone of our modern economy, unlocking economic and social opportunity, but some New Jerseyans miss out on jobs, schooling, healthcare, and much more as a result of slow or no access,” Senator Booker said. “I saw this problem firsthand as mayor of Newark, and I’ve seen it in communities throughout our state, especially in rural areas. I met with Cumberland County officials and South Jersey mayors two years ago to discuss the need to invest in high-speed internet access and remove barriers, and I’m proud to be able to deliver on that promise—thanks to President Biden’s leadership—in announcing this significant federal investment today.”

“In the 21^st century, broadband access is a fundamental necessity that students, workers, families and businesses rely on every day, which is why we made historic investments like this $24 million award from the Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program in broadband deployment and digital equity during the last Congress,” said Senator Menendez. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Cumberland and Salem county’s residents, especially those in traditionally underserved communities, will have greater access to broadband infrastructure that will improve economic development, educational opportunities, public safety, and access to telehealth services.”

“The implications of the award of the NTIA Middle Mile Grant cannot be overstated as regards to communication and connectivity for our neighbors in Salem and Cumberland Counties and adjoining areas of South Jersey,” said Mickey Ostrum, Salem County Deputy Commissioner Director. “I have been privileged to work with many dedicated and visionary colleagues at the County and Federal levels whose hard work has brought this process to fruition.  Now we can start filling the many cellular and internet gaps plaguing our residents, thus improving access to so many educational and work-related opportunities.”

The new fiber network will promote equitable access to broadband internet service at an affordable cost by enabling smaller internet service providers to enter the market and increase competition. It also has the potential to strengthen the region’s cellular communications system, enhance its E911 network, and extend high-speed internet service to schools, healthcare providers, and other anchor institutions.

The grant is part of the Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program, a $1 billion program that provides funding for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure. The purpose of the grant program is to expand and extend middle mile infrastructure to reduce the cost of connecting areas that lack reliable internet access. The program was created and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Senators Booker and Menendez voted for.

Senator Booker is a longtime champion of broadband access, introducing the Community Broadband Act to improve internet access in underserved communities. In 2021, he met with the Cumberland County officials and South Jersey mayors to discuss the challenges of delivering broadband access to residents across the county. Since then, the Senator and his office have been working closely with statewide stakeholders to secure investments to make high-speed broadband accessible to these communities in South Jersey and across the state.

Senator Booker meeting in 2021 with Cumberland County officials and South Jersey mayors to discuss removing barriers to broadband access.

After the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Senator Booker released a Broadband Resources Guide to help communities navigate the new federal funding opportunities available to them, including the Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program.

In October 2022, he wrote NTIA at the U.S. Department of Commerce in support of Cumberland and Salem counties’ application for the Middle Mile grant.

“The lack of reliable, high-speed internet is a major hindrance on the quality of life of residents throughout these counties,” Senator Booker wrote. “As you know, high-speed internet access is a basic and modern necessity for opportunities in employment, education, and social mobility—the importance of which has been permanently affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Click here to read the full letter.