The Flexible Grant Program (FGP) supports Last Mile broadband connectivity for certain towns in western Massachusetts. The goal of the FGP is to provide grant funding to capable communications network companies that are willing to design, build, own, operate and maintain a communications network in one or more of the participating towns that will provide residents with broadband internet access that meets or exceeds the current Federal Communications broadband benchmark speeds.
Notice of Funding Availability
In October 2017, MBI released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) through the Flexible Grant Program to solicit solutions for the unserved towns in western and central Massachusetts without an identified broadband solution.
Action Plans
MBI designed the FGP to permit Providers, MBI, and Towns to engage in a flexible, iterative process to develop high value proposals to provide the best available solution for these currently unserved towns.
Accordingly, the FGP contemplates that in response to an initial expression of interest from a Provider or a Town, a proposal are developed or refined through negotiations among the Provider, MBI, and the Town.
Where appropriate, the process for engagement among the parties is specified in customized Action Plans tailored to the specific characteristics of each proposed broadband project. The Action Plan identifies the responsibilities and tasks to be undertaken by each party.
Active and Completed Projects
MBI has funded the following projects through the FGP or its predecessor, the Private Provider Program and other direct grants.
| Town | Provider | Technology | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | WiValley | Fixed Wireless | Active |
| Hancock | Charter | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Complete |
| Hawley | WiValley | Fixed Wireless | Active |
| Hinsdale | Charter | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Complete |
| Egremont | Fiber Connect, LLC | Fiber-to-the-Home | Active |
| Lanesborough | Charter | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Complete |
| Middlefield | Comcast | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Complete |
| Monroe | WiValley | Fixed Wireless | Active |
| Monterey | Fiber Connect, LLC | Fiber-to-the-Home | Active |
| Montgomery | Comcast | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Complete |
| New Braintree | Charter | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Active |
| New Marlborough | Charter | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Complete |
| Peru | Charter | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Complete |
| Princeton | Charter | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Complete |
| Sandisfield | Charter | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Active |
| Savoy | WiValley | Fixed Wireless | Active |
| Tolland | Comcast | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Active |
| Tyringham | Charter | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Complete |
| West Stockbridge | Charter | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Complete |
| Worthington | Comcast | Hybrid Fiber Coax | Complete |