PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll administration and Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's (MassTech) Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) awarded $31,548,018 to four internet service providers (ISPs) to increase internet access for affordable and public housing residents statewide. 

 

Aervivo Inc. was awarded $10,527,014 for 6,402 housing units. This uncludes 30 units in Pittsfield through the Beacon Residential Management Limited Partnership and 30 units in Williamstown through the Williamstown Housing Authority.

 

Archtop Fiber LLC was awarded $481,955 for 164 housing units. Through the Great Barrington Housing Authority, 31 housing units in Great Barrington, 30 housing units in Sheffield, and 50 units in Housatonic will benefit.

 

53 units in Stockbridge will also be impacted through the Stockbridge Housing Authority.

 

This round of grant funding will modernize internet access in more than 13,700 housing units across Massachusetts, including the installation of fiber-optic or CAT6 internet infrastructure, customer home-based equipment, and Wi-Fi service to residences in 60 municipalities across the state. The upgrades aim to increase connectivity, reduce cost burdens and improve digital access for low-income residents. 

 

"This program is about enhancing broadband connectivity for residents statewide," said Massachusetts Interim Economic Development Secretary Ashley Stolba. "With this funding, we're making sure low-income residents have the same access to essential services, opportunities, and tools as everyone else, leading to a more connected and advanced economy."

 

The Residential Retrofit Program is funded by U.S. Treasury's Capital Projects Fund through the American Rescue Plan Act. The program prioritizes projects in federally designated Qualified Census Tracts and properties with high percentages of deed-restricted affordable housing.