Zayo Bandwidth Granted $13.4M Federal Stimulus Award

LOUISVILLE, Colo., July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Zayo Bandwidth, a national provider of fiber-based bandwidth infrastructure solutions for carrier, enterprise and government customers, announced today that it has been awarded $13.4 million from the federal Recovery Act Broadband Opportunity Program to enable high-speed broadband services to government, businesses, community institutions and local internet service providers in Minnesota.  This is Zayo Bandwidth's second major broadband grant; its first federal award was $25 million to extend the fiber-based network infrastructure to 80 rural communities in 21 higher education institutions in Indiana. 

Many areas in Anoka County, Minnesota can currently only access either T1 or DSL service, potentially limiting business and educational opportunities, government services and public safety responsiveness.  The "Connect Anoka County Community Broadband Network" project is a partnership between Zayo Bandwidth and Anoka County who, collectively, will make a $5.7M match to the project.  145 local anchor institutions and other local broadband service providers will be connected with 286 miles of fiber with speeds between 100 Mbps and 10 Gbps. The network will enable access to Ethernet service, Direct Internet Access, Private Line, Wavelengths and Dark Fiber.  

"Anoka County and Zayo Bandwidth are prepared and eager to commence this project right away," stated Chris Morley, CFO, Zayo Bandwidth.  "Connecting the schools, public safety and service entities presents a very long-lasting benefit to any community's well-being, and we are sincerely appreciative for the ability to help."

Jim Kordiak, Vice Chair, and Robyn West, Commissioner, Anoka County Board of Commissioners provided the vision and leadership for the Connect Anoka County project team.  "Winning the award is amazing but it also makes sense that Anoka County would qualify," stated Commissioner West.  "Developing a fiber backbone opens the door for a global economy here in Anoka County.  It's also an open door for local Internet service providers to compete to bring the fastest connectivity possible to residents' front doors."

On July 2, the President and the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture announced the awards of multiple stimulus initiatives, including the one funding the Anoka County project.  In his statement, the President underscored the importance of continued broadband expansion throughout rural and suburban areas in order to build stronger infrastructure and support job creation.

About Zayo Bandwidth

Zayo Bandwidth, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zayo Group, owns and operates fiber optic networks totaling over 20,000 fiber route miles.  Zayo Bandwidth (www.zayo.com/bandwidth) offers services in 141 markets spanning 23 states.  Zayo Bandwidth's mission is to provide responsive bandwidth infrastructure solutions and a strong and growing network.

About Anoka County

Anoka County is part of the seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and has a population of nearly 330-thousand people. We are home to several of the world's leading companies including Medtronic, Aveda, and ATK Security and Sporting. The word 'Anoka' is derived from the native Dakota word anokatanhan meaning "on both sides" referring to the Rum River which flows through the heart of the county.  Anoka County is rated AAA by Standard and Poor's.

SOURCE Zayo Bandwidth