The project was spurred by a life-changing public health crisis that impacted millions globally and revealed the dire need for broadband expansion across rural Grafton County.

"COVID really highlighted the lack of adequate broadband in Grafton County," Julie Libby, Grafton County administrator, said via email. "It's a rural county in northwestern New Hampshire with many small communities, and the county knew that many of our small communities lacked the resources to tackle this problem individually so they made the decision to attempt to address the problem from our countywide level as this would be more cost-effective."

Described by Libby as a digital "highway," this middle-mile project will act as "the backbone of broadband expansion," featuring multiple access points that provide essential infrastructure for Internet service providers (ISPs) to connect homes and businesses. When completed in 2025, the network will link 25 municipalities and set up future integrations with networks in neighboring New Hampshire counties and Vermont.

"The middle-mile network reduces the cost of entering new markets for ISPs, making rural markets more economically feasible," Libby said, indicating the investment should make county communities more attractive to homebuyers and businesses.

The project is partially funded through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure grant program. Nearly $12 million of its $17 million budget came from this federal funding, awarded after a lengthy review process; the county provided the remaining amount.

The middle-mile network will connect Grafton County's communities to a central hub at Plymouth State University. Hub66, a local ISP already active in rural Grafton County, has partnered with the county to support and maintain the network.

Construction is already underway, and is expected to be done in December 2025. An official at eX² Technology emphasized the project's transformative potential in a news release.

"It's an exciting time that solidifies the beginning of new connectivity opportunities that will enable ongoing economic growth and development, enriched education and telehealth technologies, enhanced governmental services and more," Jay Jorgensen, the company's chief operating officer, said.

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