NEWPORT, R.I. — Today at the Newport Public Library, Governor Dan McKee and Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner marked the start of work on broadband infrastructure projects that will bring high-speed internet access to approximately 16,000 locations across 23 municipalities in Rhode Island through the ConnectRI initiative.

Internet service providers GoNetspeed and Verizon were selected through competitive bid processes between July 2024 and February 2025. Collectively, the providers have committed $27 million in private investment to supplement nearly $25 million in federal funding through the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) authorized by the General Assembly.

Project areas were selected based on federal eligibility criteria and service gaps to improve broadband service to 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload. Project areas include eligible locations in Coventry, Cranston, Cumberland, East Providence, Exeter, Foster, Jamestown, Johnston, Lincoln, Newport, North Kingstown, North Providence, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Providence, Richmond, Scituate, Smithfield, Tiverton, Warwick, West Greenwich, Westerly, and Woonsocket.

"Rhode Islanders deserve access to fast, reliable internet," said Governor Dan McKee. "This investment is not just about connectivity; it’s about strengthening our economy, supporting local businesses, and ensuring everyone can participate in today’s digital world—key goals of our RI 2030 plan [mf94itmab.cc.rs6.net]."

"With ConnectRI, we’re delivering targeted broadband solutions that make a real difference in the lives of residents and businesses," said Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner. "These investments will help strengthen Rhode Island’s infrastructure and keep us competitive."

"As the Northeast's largest independent fiber optic network builder, GoNetspeed is honored to celebrate the beginning of a powerful partnership that will change thousands of lives," said Richard Clark, GoNetspeed President and CEO. "This expansion to Rhode Island also marks our 10th state that will be connected to a multigigabit, 100% fiber optic infrastructure. We are grateful for projects that enhance communities and states as a whole."

"We applaud ConnectRI as we expand our network in the Ocean State," said Nathan Pham, Director, State and Government Affairs for Verizon. "We know that residents need reliable broadband service to enable them to work, learn, and stream from home, and we look forward to further building and enhancing our fast, reliable network as part of this program."

Established in 2021 under the federal American Rescue Plan Act, the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) provides funding to states for critical capital projects that enable work, education, and health monitoring. This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number CPFFN0169 awarded to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and will lay the groundwork for Rhode Island's forthcoming $108.7 million additional investment through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, set to launch later this year.

For more information about Rhode Island’s broadband initiatives, visit CommerceRI.com/broadband [mf94itmab.cc.rs6.net].