Pre-Applications Open for Nebrask aInternet Enhancement Fund Grants

The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) is now taking pre-applications from counties and municipalities wishing to apply for grants from the Nebraska Internet Enhancement Fund (NIEF).

Pre-applications will be accepted beginning today, Tuesday, October 29, through Friday, December 6, 2019. The Commission utilizes pre-applications to determine whether potential projects meet the requirements of a NIEF grant award.

Pre-applications are required to be completed before an invitation to submit a formal application is given. The formal application period will begin on December 30, 2019, with final awards for the new grant period to be made in April of 2020.

NIEF uses a share of the proceeds from public entities that lease unused fiber-optic cable, or dark fiber, to fund grants for infrastructure projects that
deliver broadband or other advanced telecommunications projects throughout the state. The grants focus on areas in Nebraska that are unserved or underserved by such services. Successful applications may be awarded up to $75,000.

More information can be found at www.psc.nebraska.gov.