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Region 10 Receives $5.2M Grant To Develop Better Broadband Access In West Slope Communities

fiber optic cable
Laura Palmisano
/
KVNF

Region 10 received $5.2 million grant from the state to develop better broadband access on the Western Slope. 

The funds come from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs through its Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Program.

Michelle Haynes is the executive director of Region 10, an organization of governments that serves six counties.

"It will be used to help us to construct our own broadband infrastructure within our region that will be managed by Region 10 and our member communities and then can be further utilized by private providers to provide service in our community," Haynes says.

Region 10 needed matching funds to get the grant. She says the Delta Montrose Electric Association, the city of Montrose, Delta County, and the city of Delta put up more than $4 million for the project.

"Region 10 actually started out looking at this grant because the lack of broadband in our communities was identified as one of the top barriers to economic development," Haynes says.

She says the grant will be used to improve broadband in eastern Montrose County and in Delta County. 

Region 10 is also planning on going after a second grant to boost internet speeds in Ouray, San Miguel, Gunnison and Hinsdale counties.

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