Hartford officials are looking to bring high-speed fiber internet lines to businesses along North Main and Windsor streets in an effort to boost their competitiveness and stimulate growth and development in the city’s Northeast neighborhood.
The city recently released a request for proposals from utility providers with the aim of finding a partner for the project. Hartford is offering to put up 50% of the funding, and is asking its prospective utility partner to match its investment.
The conduit would be owned by the city.
“Bringing high-speed access to businesses along North Main Street and Windsor Street is key to making sure those businesses can compete and grow,” said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. “This investment will support growth along a vital corridor in the Northeast neighborhood that has, for far too long, been held back by inadequate infrastructure and limited access to high-speed internet.”
The city expects to complete the procurement and contracting process in the next few months and is targeting spring for the start of construction.
The project comes as Connecticut municipalities and state agencies look to ramp up broadband access to underserved communities. A portion of the funding the state is expected to receive through the federal infrastructure package, passed last year, will be allocated to support the development and expansion of high-speed internet service.
