State Extends and Expands WiFi and Connectivity Programs in Berkshire County

04:46PM / Friday, December 17, 2021Print Story | Email Story

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at MassTech Collaborative announced the extension of several digital equity programs launched through the "Partnerships for Recovery" efforts earlier this year.

Supported with $9.2 million in economic recovery funds, the MBI launched public wireless hotspots in unserved towns in western and central Massachusetts and provided digital support for job seekers provided through the Mass.

In Berkshire County availability will be extended through June 30 at Becket Town Hall, Florida Senior Center, Sandisfield Town Hall, and Savoy Town Hall.

In addition, the MBI has expanded the reach of its digital equity programs, developing regional partnerships to address internet connectivity gaps, including new digital equity projects around the North Shore and Greater Boston.

Initially launched in April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WiFi Hotspot program provided outdoor, high-speed wireless access points in Last Mile municipalities that still lacked broadband access. Built off of the state-owned MassBroadband 123 network, the service was expanded to include indoor hotspots, and reached a peak of WiFi sites in 26 communities. As Last Mile projects have completed, state support for the hotspots has sunset, as homes, businesses, and additional public facilities gain access to high-speed connections.

Through the MBI, the Commonwealth has extended WiFi sites in 11 Last Mile communities that are awaiting completion of their state-supported high-speed internet projects.

Work continues through the Last Mile program to support the expansion of high-speed internet projects in the remaining unserved communities. Since the re-launch of the Last Mile program in May 2016, over $57 million in state grants have been awarded to support broadband projects in 53 communities. Today, 35 of the 53 Last Mile communities (66 percent) have completed networks and an additional 15 towns have partially-completed projects that have connected some homes and businesses.

Announced in January 2021 by the Baker-Polito Administration, the Mass. Internet Connect program to support unemployed job seekers with digital resources will be extended until June 30, 2022. Through the program, over 4,000 unemployed job seekers in the MassHire system have been assisted with direct subsidies or referrals for internet subsidies, devices, and/or digital literacy services. Subsidies were initially provided by the state, while MassHire customers after June 2021 have been referred to the federal Emergency Broadband Benefit program.

Job seekers in the MassHire system who are interested in these services should contact their nearest MassHire Career Center

In addition to the project extensions, the MBI's digital equity programs have expanded to other parts of the Commonwealth, building on the success of the current programs to bring connectivity to more citizens statewide and help close the digital divide.

Tags: Internet,

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State Wins $130M to Advance West-East Rail

03:03PM / Saturday, October 17, 2026

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Some $130 million in federal monies is being invested into passenger rail along the so-called Knowledge Corridor and for laying the groundwork to establish West-East Rail from Albany, N.Y., to Boston.

The funding for the Springfield Hub Modernization Project was announced on Friday by Gov. Maura Healey, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Reps. Richard Neal and James McGovern.

The project is part of the state's Compass Rail vision, centered on Springfield Union Station and building on existing Amtrak Vermonter, Hartford Line and Valley Flyer service.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was awarded the funding through the Federal Railroad Administration's Fiscal Years 2025-2026 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program to support modernization of the rail infrastructure around Springfield Union Station.

"This is a major win for Western Massachusetts and a big step forward for West-East Rail," said Healey in a statement. "This $130 million investment in Springfield will help us improve transportation, reduce congestion and connect more communities to jobs, housing and economic opportunity. I'm grateful to Senators Markey and Warren, Congressmen Neal and McGovern, and all of our partners for helping us secure this critical funding and move us closer to expanded passenger rail service across Massachusetts."

The project will upgrade tracks, signals and other infrastructure to address a major rail bottleneck, reduce conflicts between freight and passenger trains, and allow more efficient operations and expanded rail service. This work is expected to improve on-time performance, reduce delays and provide more schedule flexibility for Amtrak Vermonter and Valley Flyer passengers. The project will also create capacity for future passenger rail service while reducing unnecessary train idling, emissions and operating costs.

"Building West-East rail is a once-in a-lifetime investment to connect Massachusetts' communities and our regional economies like never before. It will mean lower costs, less congestion, and access to opportunity for families across the state," said Markey. "I'm proud to have secured this $130 million in federal funding alongside Governor Healey, Senator Warren, Congressman Neal and Congressman McGovern, bringing our total federal investment to more than $280 million to date, which will build the track to this more affordable, cleaner, better connected future."

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