Rural Colorado awarded $113.5 million to build better broadband, but most applicants left empty-handed
While filing papers at her office earlier this month, Leslie Mastroianni’s Apple watch vibrated. An email from Advance Colorado announced the Southern Colorado Economic Development District had won a grant to improve broadband infrastructure in southeastern Colorado. Then her watch buzzed again. And again. Two more award s. “I felt like I was giving birth to babies,” said Mastroianni, SCEDD’s executive director. “Then the buzzing stopped. I have a competitive streak, which is good in the grant writing business. So, yes, I was a little disappointed. A little surprised that some weren’t funded. …. But I’m very happy with the three and this gives us the first dip in the broadband pool.” SCEDD, an official economic development district, had applied for seven. The three it won will receive $12.5 million to help it and its partners improve fiber broadband infrastructure in four southeastern counties for 1,410 households. In all, 13 applicants to the Capit...