NJBPU Grantees Start Deployment Phase of Internet Access Projects
PENNS GROVE — The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) began its historic $40 million investment in internet connectivity. The build-out was launched with a grant award ceremony held at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Penns Grove, Salem County.
The New Jersey Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Equity (NJBIDE) Pilot Program grant awardees have started critical broadband expansion efforts across the state. The approved investment will provide reliable, high-quality internet service to over 9,000 broadband serviceable (BSL) locations across the State. Mayor LaDena D. Londo, Taryn Boland and Valarry Bullard of the NJBPU, Assemblyman David Bailey, and NJ League of Municipalities Executive Director Michael Cerra spoke at the announcement Wednesday.
“We are absolutely thrilled that we are entering the deployment and construction phase of this historic expansion of broadband connectivity for the underserved communities in the State,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “The NJBIDE program is dedicated to securing New Jersey's future by ensuring that every resident, regardless of their background or where they live, has the digital services necessary to thrive in our increasingly interconnected world.”
The NJBIDE grant awards will support broadband infrastructure projects in Atlantic, Burlington, Cumberland, Essex, Salem, Sussex, and Warren counties. The awardees include the City of Vineland, County of Salem, Borough of Penns Grove, Brightspeed (Connect Holding II LLC), and Verizon New Jersey Inc. Applicants were notified of their status via email. The list of awards is available on the Office of Broadband Connectivity (OBC) webpage. Recipients were chosen for their commitment to bridging the digital divide and delivering high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved communities.
"Access to fast, reliable, and affordable internet is an absolute necessity,” Senator John Burzichelli, Assemblywoman Heather Simmons, and Assemblyman Dave Bailey, Jr. said in a joint statement. “Thousands of Salem County residents in rural and underserved communities have not had this access, cutting them off from educational and economic opportunities most people in New Jersey take for granted. The NJBIDE grant changes that. This historic investment in broadband infrastructure will bridge the digital divide and improve the lives of people in Salem County and beyond. We want to thank the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities for making this initiative possible, and the Borough of Penns Grove and Salem County for working to better connect our communities."
"Access to high-speed internet is a necessity in today's increasingly digitalized world. Further expanding broadband service in underserved areas across New Jersey will open up new work, educational, health, and social opportunities for residents," said Senator Troy Singleton. "I look forward to seeing the impact of this program as it is implemented. I’d also like to thank both the Board of Public Utilities and the awardees for their work in making more widespread access to broadband service a reality."
“This $9.5 million NJBIDE grant is more than just an investment in broadband—it’s an investment in our future,” said Penns Grove Mayor LaDena A. Londo. “For decades, Penns Grove was overlooked and underserved. But today, we stand at the forefront of digital equity and opportunity. This grant ensures that our families, students, seniors, and small businesses can finally access the tools they need to thrive in the 21st century. I’m proud that the State of New Jersey saw something powerful in our small town—a community worth believing in. This is a victory for Penns Grove, Carneys Point, and every resident who’s ever felt disconnected or left behind. We are turning the page. We are writing a new story. And it starts with access, equity, and a commitment to leaving no one behind.”
“The NJ League of Municipalities congratulates the recipients of the NJBIDE grants for their outstanding commitment to advancing innovation and sustainability across New Jersey,” said Michael Cerra, Executive Director, NJ League of Municipalities. “From rural townships to our largest cities, these investments are empowering municipalities to meet local challenges with smart, community-driven solutions that promote resilience, equity, and economic vitality.”
Funded through the Capital Projects Fund (CPF), the NJBIDE Pilot Program is a competitive grant initiative designed to bring high-speed internet access to areas with limited or no connectivity. The NJBIDE initiative addresses the urgent need for expanded broadband infrastructure – enabling work, education, health monitoring, and other critical services that became even more essential during the pandemic.
