Business
Alaska Power & Telephone Awarded $29.3m USDA ReConnect Grant to Expand Fiber Optic Connectivity in Tongass Region Communities
Alaska Power & Telephone Awarded $29.3m USDA ReConnect Grant to Expand Fiber Optic Connectivity in Tongass Region Communities.
About this update from Alaska Power & Telephone Co.
[{"type":"text","content":"\nAlaska Power & Telephone Company (OTC: APTL) (“AP&T”) is pleased to share that its subsidiary APT Wireless has been selected by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to receive a $29,344,717 grant award from USDA Rural Utility Service’s ReConnect grant program, to expand fiber optic connectivity in communities on Prince of Wales Island. AP&T will invest $9,781,573 in matching private funds. The project, called “SEALink South,” will involve developing fiber optic networks capable of 100 Mbps symmetrical service and higher to approximately 550 premises in the remote, rural communities of Craig, Klawock, and Hollis, helping to enhance telecommunication resiliency and redundancy for residents throughout the Tongass National Forest region.\n\nAP&T estimates a marine route survey, permitting, and environmental review activities will occur in 2023. Construction would occur between 2024 and 2027, depending on timing of environmental and permit approvals.\n\nThe “SEALink South” project builds upon the success of AP&T’s “SEALink” project, which is proceeding 2 years ahead of schedule. SEALink includes a new submarine fiber optic cable between the communities of Prince of Wales Island, Petersburg, and Juneau, and fiber-to-the-home for all premises within the remote, unserved communities of Kasaan and Coffman Cove. The SEALink submarine cable is currently in British Columbia, pre-staged for installation beginning in November of 2022. Fiber to the home installation will occur in Kasaan and Coffman Cove in 2023.\n\n“AP&T deeply appreciates this opportunity to invest alongside USDA and dramatically improve the quality and affordability of services it can offer to rural Alaskans,” remarked AP&T CEO Mike Garrett. “For years, these communities have struggled to find economic sustainability within the challenging context of the Tongass National Forest. USDA’s investment will help put amazing new opportunities within reach, enabling remote work, distance education, telemedicine, and strengthening existing businesses and jobs. We are extremely thankful for all of the hard work by Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, advocating for federal programs like ReConnect, which have been instrumental in addressing the infrastructure needs ...