Competitive funding opportunity targets seven eligible locations as Capital Projects Fund deadline approaches.
OKLAHOMA CITY — With a federal deadline approaching for completing projects funded through the American Rescue Plan Act’s Capital Projects Fund, the Oklahoma Broadband Office has opened a new $1.3 million competitive grant round to expand broadband service to eligible locations in six Oklahoma state parks.
The application window opened Wednesday and will remain open through 11:59 p.m. July 22. Internet service providers are invited to submit best and final offers to provide service to seven eligible locations identified through Federal Communications Commission broadband maps. Preference will be given to proposals that serve all eligible locations, although providers may apply to serve fewer sites.
The eligible locations are located in:
- Lake Murray State Park (two locations)
- McGee Creek State Park
- Great Salt Plains State Park
- Boiling Springs State Park
- Robbers Cave State Park
- Lake Thunderbird State Park
Projects awarded through this grant round must be completed by Dec. 30, 2026. Applicants may request an extension through May 31, 2027, but the Broadband Office said extensions are not guaranteed.
The funding comes from Oklahoma’s allocation of the federal Capital Projects Fund, a pandemic-era broadband program established through the American Rescue Plan Act. The grant round is separate from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, the larger federally funded broadband initiative that has not yet begun infrastructure grant awards in Oklahoma.
According to the Oklahoma Broadband Office, its broadband grant programs now encompass projects serving 107,165 locations, supported by nearly $941.0 million in grant awards and more than $1.4 billion in total broadband investment statewide.
The Broadband Office said questions about the application process may be directed to CPFquestions@broadband.ok.gov.
