Tanana Chiefs Conference Awarded $35 Million Grant to Bring Broadband to Rural Alaska Villages

This week, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) was awarded a $35 million grant to install affordable, reliable high-speed broadband in three underserved TCC communities. The 100% fiber-based network will be installed in the villages of Venetie, Chalkyitsik and Circle.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919466784/en/

The project is part of the Alaska FiberOptic Project, which is a larger collaboration between Calista Corporation; Doyon, Limited; Gana-A ‘Yoo Limited; Tanana Chiefs Conference; and Alaska Communications to connect more than 20 communities in the Yukon and Kuskokwim regions, beginning in Fairbanks and extending to the Bering Sea Coast. The terrestrial fiber network will begin in Fort Yukon and extend to Venetie. Submarine fiber cable will be placed in the Yukon River to connect Fort Yukon and Circle. Residents and businesses will receive Gigabit speeds through a fiber-to-the-home connection.

“The lack of reliable connectivity perpetuates disparities in education, healthcare, economic opportunities and social well-being for our people,” said Brian Ridley, Chief and Chairman, Tanana Chiefs Conference. “We’re working diligently with our Native Corporation partners, the Alaska Delegation, government entities and Alaska Communications to remedy market conditions that have left our Alaska Native Villages on the wrong side of the digital divide. Mahsi' Choo, to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Biden-Harris Administration for this profound opportunity.”

The five companies recognize that access to high-speed internet puts access to resources in the hands of rural Alaskans. The Alaska Fiber-Optic Project will bridge the digital divide for many rural communities, providing access to virtual meetings, online classes, telehealth and online jobs without having to compromise their village way of life.

“Keeping the people of rural America connected with reliable, high-speed internet, brings new and innovative ideas to the rest of our country,” said USDA Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Farah Ahmad. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we’re making sure that people in rural communities across Alaska have access to high-speed internet so they can connect with their loved ones and tap into economic opportunities. As this Administration grows the economy from the bottom up and middle out, we’re delivering historic funding to ensure rural America remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.”