WELLSTON – Four projects totaling $24.6 million for high-speed internet expansion were officially launched Monday morning in Wellston by the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) and internet service provider Centranet.
The projects, funded through $16.4 million in federal grants administered by the OBO coupled with $8.2 million in matching contributions from Centranet, will connect 1,940 homes and businesses with broadband internet using fiber optic technology. The awards from ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) were made earlier this year by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board.
Monday’s event provides a few examples of the progress being made statewide to get high-speed internet access to all Oklahomans. Centranet projects are scheduled in Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma and Payne counties.
The Lincoln County project, which includes Wellston, totals $9.4 million and will connect almost 1,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet. OBO and Centranet officials, along with local legislators and municipal officials attended the event.
“Today’s launch is more than just the laying of fiber – it’s the foundation for opportunity, growth, and connectivity in every corner of Oklahoma. With each mile of broadband we expand, we’re not just bridging a digital divide, we’re empowering our communities for a brighter, more prosperous future,” said OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders.
“Centranet is thrilled to partner with the Oklahoma Broadband Office to bring high-speed internet to underserved communities across the state,” said Mark Prather, Centranet President. “This project is more than just infrastructure; it's an investment in Oklahoma's future and is a catalyst for economic growth and job creation in Oklahoma. By improving connectivity, we're attracting new businesses, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities for Oklahomans. Centranet is proud to play a role in shaping a brighter future for our great state.”
ARPA-SLFRF-awarded grant projects will result in some 50,000 homes and businesses statewide being served with affordable and reliable high-speed internet. But the growth of broadband access across Oklahoma is just beginning.
In September, the Governing Board gave tentative approval to more than $159 million in ARPA Capital Projects Fund grants to 12 internet service providers for 50 projects in 28 counties.
Now, ISPs are competing for more than $750 million in additional grant funds through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
With tens of thousands of locations to be served through OBO administered programs, the office is on pace to complete its mission of achieving statewide coverage.