NORWICH - A years-long effort to strengthen broadband across Chenango County is getting a $1.9 million assist from the New York State Office of Community Renewal.

The county Board of Supervisors on Monday moved to accept the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant awarded in June through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

Funds will be used to bolster wireless internet in the City of Norwich and the Town of New Berlin - two areas of the county that planners believe stand to greatly benefit from improvements to high-speed internet service. The proposal calls for installation of wireless antennas atop of already existing tall structures within those two municipalities.

County planners say antenna installation will be far less costly than expanding fiber optic cables for high speed internet because it doesn’t require permits to install on each telephone pole and it warrants a less extensive environmental impact study. Nevertheless, Chenango County Planning Director Shane Butler said the end goal is the same: “We want to provide high speed internet to as many county residents as possible.”

The grant gives a 12-month stipulation to complete the project. This means the county has until next June to complete an environmental impact study, and solicit a contractor to purchase, install and operate the system.