Bill > H2854

This bill establishes the Next Generation Network Initiative Grant Fund, managed by the Massachusetts Office of Information Technology, to provide grants for municipalities and other public entities to research and plan for gigabit-speed networks, which are internet connections capable of extremely fast data transfer. The fund will support efforts to evaluate consumer-focused municipal broadband services, encourage private companies to offer advanced broadband, and develop regional partnerships for broadband expansion. The Massachusetts Office of Information Technology will hold at least one open application period annually, announcing specific criteria beforehand, and may also award grants outside this period. Eligible applicants include individual cities and towns, or groups of municipalities applying jointly, and the grants can supplement other funding sources. The office is required to submit an annual report detailing grant recipients, amounts, leveraged funding, project purposes, financial statements, and project outcomes.