Tester Secures Nearly $7 Million to Bring High Speed Internet to Underserved Communities in Montana

Funding comes from the Senator’s bipartisan infrastructure law

As a direct result of his bipartisan infrastructure law, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today secured $6,938,535 to reduce barriers to accessing high speed internet in underserved communities in Montana. This funding comes from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, which Tester funded through his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

Tester worked with five Republicans and four Democrats to negotiate the IIJA and was the only member of Montana’s Congressional delegation to vote for the bill.

“High speed internet can be a game-changer for folks across Montana, from making it easier to access online doctor appointments to building small businesses,” said Tester. “I’m proud to have secured this funding from my bipartisan infrastructure law to help Montana’s working families and small businesses compete in the 21^st century, and I will continue fighting to improve internet access for all Montanans.”

Tester is Montana’s leading champion for boosting high-speed internet access across the state. Tester secured $65 billion to deploy broadband to areas across the country that lack internet access and make online connectivity affordable through his bipartisan infrastructure law. And following Tester’s push, the FCC released new and increasingly accurate maps that help Montanans determine what internet service options are available at a particular residence. 

Tester secured significant wins for Montana in the IIJA, including $2.82 billion for Montana’s roads, highways and bridges; $2.5 billion to complete all authorized Indian water rights settlements; $1 billion to complete all authorized rural water projects through the Bureau of Reclamation; and $3.37 billion to reduce wildfire risk nationwide, among others. Tester also worked to ensure that all iron, steel, and construction materials used for these projects must be made in America.

A full list of Montana provisions in Tester’s bipartisan infrastructure law can be found HERE.