GCET Expands Broadband Services in Greenfield with $750K Grant

GCET Expands Internet Services in Greenfield

GCET, or Greenfield Community Energy and Technology, received over $1.2 million in federal grant funding from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI). This funding aims to improve internet service in underserved areas of Greenfield and at The Weldon apartments.

GCET will use more than $750,000 from the Gap Networks Grant. This project will expand broadband internet access in areas lacking high-speed service over the next two years.

John Lunt, General Manager of GCET, explained the effort to reach remote locations, including Plain Road East and Lover’s Lane. He highlighted the challenging areas to access for service installation.

A map showed areas marked for service expansion, including South Shelburne Road and parts of Leyden Road. Lunt mentioned that southern Greenfield, near the Transfer Station, has had poor internet connectivity, which will improve under the grant.

In addition to the Gap Networks Grant, GCET received about $500,000 in Residential Retrofit funds. This funding will help provide high-speed internet infrastructure to The Weldon, which houses 105 apartments.

The projects from both grants will align with GCET’s North Build initiative. This project plans to connect approximately 1,100 households in the Bernardston Road, Colrain Road, Meadow Lane, and Green River Road areas.

Lunt noted that GCET is one of four internet providers in Massachusetts, along with Verizon, Comcast, and Charter, to receive similar grants from MBI.

The Gap Networks Grant will last until the end of 2026, but Lunt expects the work at The Weldon to progress more quickly. He indicated that the setup there requires less preparation than other areas.

For more information, contact Anthony Cammalleri at acammalleri@recorder.com.