Lamoille FiberNet Expands Funding and Sets March 31 Deadline for Long Drop Program
The cost of non-standard or long “drops” can be a barrier to adopting broadband internet service. To help residents and businesses afford to connect to Fidium’s newly constructed fiber services, Lamoille FiberNet Communications Union District is announcing the expansion of its Long Drop Funding Program to include:
- Elmore, Morristown and Stowe
- additional funds from 2024 construction savings for all 10 Lamoille County towns
- and an extension of the application deadline to March 31, 2025.
Addresses that applied for the original drop funding program last fall do not need to reapply. Applications are available at www: lamoillefiber.net or https://forms.office.com/g/z8bk3Kzxpp.
We expect to support most of the demand, but we need to define that demand as soon as possible. Our grants that fund our long drop programs have deadlines, and Vermont’s construction window is limited.
Lamoille FiberNet is leveraging both town-funded contributions and state-funded savings from 2024 construction to fund the programs’ expansion. One application covers both long drop programs.
IMPORTANT: These programs are administered by Lamoille FiberNet, NOT Fidium. Please do not call Fidium about long drop funding assistance — Fidium call center personnel do not have information about Lamoille FiberNet’s long drop programs. They will not be able to help.
Town-Funded Long Drops
Town Funds will be available to addresses which (1) are in the seven contributing towns of Belvidere, Cambridge, Eden, Hyde Park, Johnson, Waterville and Wolcott; (2) do not have a current broadband service drop; and (3) are serviceable by Fidium’s new network. Priority will be given to on-grid addresses that have no other wireline broadband option but Fidium. Funds will be distributed equitably based on the number of applications per town and the amount of town funding available. Town-funded awardees will hire their own contractors and be reimbursed for all or a portion of their costs.
State-Funded Long Drops
State Funds will be available in all 10 Lamoille FiberNet member towns but strictly limited to addresses identified in Lamoille FiberNet’s approved Universal Service Plan. Once an address is determined as eligible, Fidium will develop an estimate, then get approval from the customer and Lamoille FiberNet to commence work. Lamoille FiberNet then will reimburse Fidium for the entire cost of the drop. There will be a limit on extraordinary drop costs (those in excess of $20,000).
Deadlines and Applying for Funding
One application covers both programs. The application deadline for the town-funded drops is March 31, 2025. Funds are limited. The application deadline for the State-funded drops is also March 31, but may be extended to accommodate 2025 Phase 2 construction in a few towns and other exceptions.
You must apply to determine your eligibility for either program. When you apply, you will be notified of your eligibility and next steps. Remember, the amount of available funding depends on the source of funds. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible if you know you have a long drop. You do not need a cost estimate to apply.
How do I know if I have a “long” drop?
A long drop requires more than 500’ of new underground or new aerial poles from the distribution network (the pole or pedestal near the end of a driveway) to reach the home or business. Drops less than 500’ are installed by Fidium at no charge in the Lamoille FiberNet district. You can call Fidium at (877) 312-9617 to schedule an installation and order service. If they discover that your address is a “long drop,” your order will be cancelled, and you can then apply for Lamoille FiberNet funding.
Am I eligible for funding?
Eligibility is based on our grant funding restrictions, your address, and whether broadband is already available at your address; it is not based on your income. Only customers in the Lamoille FiberNet district who sign up for Fidium Fiber internet service can access this long drop funding. To see if your address is eligible for either program, please fill out the application on our website: https://forms.office.com/g/z8bk3Kzxpp
LAMOILLE FIBERNET MISSION:
To prioritize access of unserved and underserved addresses to symmetrical, high-speed, and affordable internet service — as soon as possible.
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