Member News

WHEATLAND, NY — Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Spectrum Northeast, LLC joined
Congressman Joe Morelle, County Legislators and Wheatland Supervisor Jim Kirch to announce
a major milestone in closing the digital divide: countywide access to reliable high-speed
internet.

Through a $1.8 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Monroe County
partnered with Spectrum to extend broadband infrastructure to previously unserved homes
and businesses in rural areas. Spectrum contributed an additional $956,000 to the project –
making the full investment more than $2.7 million. The project ensures every corner of the
county – including the most rural communities – now has access to Spectrum’s wireless
internet service.

“High-speed internet is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity for work, school, healthcare,
and staying connected,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “This investment
ensures that every household and business in Monroe County, no matter how rural, has
access to reliable broadband service. By partnering with Spectrum to finish the job and
reach the remaining unserved areas, we’re closing the digital divide and strengthening
opportunities for families, students, and employers across our community.”

“This is what real commitment to rural communities looks like. Spectrum’s network
capacity allows us to activate service across multiple towns at the same time, bringing a
whole county online in parallel rather than one town, or street, at a time. That’s how
countywide coverage becomes achievable, not in years, but right now, and why residents
and small businesses can count on real, measurable progress,” said Camille Joseph-Goldman, Group Vice President for Charter Communications.

“Rural families and small businesses deserve the high-speed internet access modern life
requires,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “Monroe County is making sure everyone has
the tools they need to thrive, no matter where they live. I’m grateful to County Executive
Bello, Spectrum, our local government partners, and Monroe County businesses for
coming together to build a better future for this community.”

“When I wrote the American Rescue Plan, I did it to deliver real results – like expanded
access to high-speed internet – for communities like Monroe County,” said U.S. Senate
Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. “High-speed internet is as essential as electricity, and
no family, school or business should be left on the wrong side of the digital divide. By
putting ARPA dollars to work to reach the last unserved homes, Monroe County is
bringing every household and business the reliable broadband they need to learn, work,
and thrive.”

“Closing the digital divide is paramount to ensure that no resident or business ever
struggles with access to internet. Whether in rural, urban, or suburban areas, internet
access is key to health care, education, or simply the connections that bring us together.
I’ve long fought to secure resources in the Senate to address broadband infrastructure
needs, and I commend Monroe County and Spectrum for this partnership that will help
affordable internet connectivity reach the Monroe County residents that need it most. I
was proud to secure this funding through the American Rescue Plan Act, and I will work to
ensure that all New York communities have the resources they need to thrive,” said U.S.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

The investment addresses a long-standing challenge in rural connectivity. According to U.S.
Census data, nearly three out of every 10 rural households don’t have internet subscriptions.

In January 2023, County Executive Bello announced findings from a Magellan Advisors study
commissioned by the Broadband Advisory Task Force. The study confirmed significant
service gaps in low-income and rural areas and recommended strategic partnerships with
private providers to accelerate broadband buildout. The county’s collaboration with
Spectrum directly responds to those recommendations.

Spectrum has contacted the remaining unserved households and businesses identified in the
study and, with property-owner permission, completed installation of the infrastructure
necessary to bring them online. The expanded service areas include portions of Hamlin,
Clarkson, Sweden, Parma, Riga, Wheatland, Ogden, Rush, Mendon, and Penfield.

“As we’ve expanded broadband access in the city, we are now ensuring rural communities
receive the same attention and support,” said Legislature President Yversha Román. “The
American Rescue Plan Act was enacted to help communities strengthen essential
infrastructure, and this partnership with Spectrum delivers on that promise of improving
quality of life and ensuring all residents and businesses have the reliable, high-speed
internet they need to learn, work, and socialize. I’m grateful for Spectrum’s collaboration
in helping us close the digital divide here in Monroe County.”

"Access to reliable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury, it is an essential service for
all in the United States today. The need for high-speed internet connectivity has never
been more critical for Americans' everyday lives,” said Legislator Howard Maffucci,
Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee. “I’m pleased Monroe County Executive
Adam Bello and Congressman Joe Morelle have helped Monroe County secure the $1.8
million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that enables a
public/private partnership with Spectrum to extend broadband infrastructure to unserved
homes and businesses in rural areas."

“Spectrum was able to provide the network capacity to activate service in multiple rural
towns at the same time. Spectrum’s scale, fiber backbone, and field resources allow entire
regions to come online in parallel. That capacity is what makes countywide coverage
possible and allowed the Town of Wheatland to address our unserved Internet customers
in a timely fashion. We are thrilled to have partnered with Spectrum on this initiative,”
said Wheatland Supervisor Jim Kirch.

While ARPA funds supported the installation of broadband infrastructure, the investment does
not cover the cost of individual internet service plans. Residents seeking more information
about eligibility or service availability can visit spectrum.com/internet.