Hub66, an internet service provider in New England, has been awarded $8.5 million in grants from the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ Broadband Matching Grants Initiative.

These funds will bringing enhanced internet connectivity from Hub66’s fiber-optic network to underserved communities, including Alton, Bridgewater, Canaan, Cornish, Enfield, Plainfield and five of the islands in Gilford, according to a press release.

Hub66’s network expansion will produce internet speeds of up to 8 Gbps, dramatically improving operations in these communities. The company is working with local leaders to build a robust, fail-safe network that ensures residents and businesses can rely on high-speed internet.

“This award is a game-changer for the communities we serve,” said Andrea J. Vient, CEO of Hub66. “Thanks to the support from the NH BEA, we’re able to deliver high-speed internet to hundreds of underserved residents and businesses, furthering our mission to connect rural New England with world-class internet services.”

The funding is part of a broader state effort to close the digital divide in rural and underserved areas by providing critical infrastructure upgrades via matching grants to ISPs and municipalities, which aligns with Hub66’s commitment to connect.