Polar was recently awarded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants to bring broadband Internet service to underserved locations in parts of Walsh, Grand Forks, Traill and Steele counties. The grant amounts total $12.1 million with a $4 million match from Polar. This project is supported by the North Dakota Broadband Program, awarded by the state of North Dakota, and administered by North Dakota Information Technology.
“With these grant funds, Polar Communications is excited to be able to provide fiber broadband technology to underserved residents in the Red River Valley of North Dakota, says Karl Blake, Chief Executive Officer, Polar Communications. “This leading-edge fiber broadband technology project will spark economic opportunities for businesses and agriculture operations, facilitate educational aspirations, enhance healthcare, and bolster public safety by delivering high-speed broadband capabilities to residents who otherwise would have lesser quality services or lack the ability to participate in real-time services such as E-Learning, video streaming, telehealth and telework.”
“Collaboration is the cornerstone of success when it comes to bridging the gaps of broadband connectivity,” states Craig Felchle, Chief Technology Officer, North Dakota Information Technology. “We look forward in working alongside Polar Communications to make a profound impact in the communities Polar serves and empowering residents with transformative opportunities for generations to come.”
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, also called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package or American Rescue Plan is a US $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the US Congress on March 11, 2021, to speed up the country’s recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing recession. Specifically, the Act allocated $10 billion for a Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund.