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New Hampshire Electric Co-op Awarded $5.58 Million in BEAD Funding to Expand Rural Broadband Access

New Hampshire Electric Co-op Awarded $5.58 Million in BEAD Funding to Expand Rural Broadband Access

Grant Will Bring High-Speed, Fiber Internet to More Than 2,500 Homes and Businesses in 23 Communities 

New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (Co-op) today announced it has been awarded $5.58 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding through the New Hampshire Office of Broadband Initiatives. The funding will support the expansion of NH Broadband’s, the Co-op's wholly owned subsidiary, 100 percent fiber-optic network to unserved and underserved areas across New Hampshire, further advancing the state’s goal of being first in nation to achieve universal broadband access. 

The BEAD investment will enable NH Broadband to reach more than 2,500 homes and businesses. Construction is planned across 23 communities, including Bath, Benton, Clarksville, Colebrook, Danbury, Dixville, Goshen, Grafton, Groton, Haverhill, Hill, Holderness, Lyman, Moultonborough, New Hampton, Orange, Orford, Piermont, Springfield, Thornton, Tuftonboro, Warren, and Wentworth. 

“We’re pleased the state of New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, Governor Ayotte, and the Executive Council reaffirmed their confidence in our ability to deliver state-of-the-art fiber internet to unserved and underserved areas of New Hampshire,” said Michael Jennings, President & CEO of the Co-op. “NH Broadband has been proud to partner with the state to help bring this critical need to those who need it and we look forward to continuing that partnership.” 

“This is the sixth broadband grant NHEC has secured pursuant to the Board of Directors’ commitment to extend high-speed fiber internet to our members in a fiscally prudent manner,” said NHEC Board Chair, Bill Darcy.  "We will continue to apply for grants and invest in broadband infrastructure when it serves the best interests of our members and the community," he said. 

Once complete, the project will add more than 126 miles of new fiber, dramatically improving access to high-speed, reliable internet for remote work, education, telehealth, and economic development. 

“Reliable, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity for education, healthcare, and economic participation,” said Department of Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Lange. “This $5.58 million in funding represents a significant step toward our goal of universal connectivity. We are proud to support the New Hampshire Electric Co-op as they expand their fiber network into our unserved areas, ensuring that every resident, from the Great North Woods to the Monadnock Region, has the tools they need to succeed in the 21st-century economy.”  

Why Fiber Optic Broadband is Critical: 

  • Fastest Speeds: NH Broadband leverages cutting-edge, fiber-optic technology, which provides lightning-fast speeds to meet the demands of modern households and businesses. 
  • Affordable: As a member-owned utility, the Co-op is committed to delivering this essential 21st century service at competitive rates. 
  • Future-Proof: Unlike traditional networks  which could soon be obsolete, 100 percent fiber-to-the-home is designed to handle increasing usage and information demands, making it a future-proof solution. 

In 2020, NH Broadband stepped-up to deliver high-speed internet to previously unserved and under-served areas across New Hampshire. It has installed over 2,500 miles of fiber making fast, reliable internet available to over 40,000 households and in nearly 100 towns. NH Broadband has the highest customer satisfaction of any internet service provider in the state and has an average Google Review score of 4.7 out of 5 for its service. It is committed to connecting underserved communities and will continue investing in network expansion through 2027. 

Residents can check service availability and learn more at www.nhbroadband.com by clicking “Check Availability.” With no installation fees, plans starting at $49.95 per month, and speeds of up to 2 Gig, NH Broadband continues to deliver fast, local, and reliable internet to New Hampshire communities.