Lincoln, October 13, 2023- The Nebraska Public Service Commission has issued an Order(NUSF-117 P.O.1) extending the state E-Rate Special Construction Matching Program (E-Rateprogram) and increasing the state match for projects that participate in the FederalCommunications Commission’s (FCC), E-Rate Special Construction Program.
“With today’s Order, libraries and schools in Nebraska that participate in the federal E-RateSpecial Construction program, will now have the opportunity to install new fiber to theirfacilities at no cost,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier.
Established in May of 2020, through NUSF-117, the PSC allocated $1 million dollars from theNebraska Universal Service Fund (NUSF) for the E-Rate Special Construction Matching FundProgram to facilitate the build-out of new fiber to Nebraska libraries and schools participating inthe FCC’s E-Rate Special Construction Program. The state funding was initially allocated forfour years and was set to expire at the end of 2024.
The Order (NUSF-117 P.O.1) extends the life of the state program for an indefinite period oftime. It also, removes a cap of 10 % match from the state allocation and will instead match anyremaining eligible new fiber construction costs not already funded through the FCC’s E-RateSpecial Construction Program, not to exceed 100% of eligible costs.
Commissioner Watermeier said, “We would encourage these entities looking to build-out newfiber to their facilities, to participate in both the federal and state programs so they can maximizethe funding available and get connected.”