About USDA Program
The ReConnect Program offers loans, grants, and loan-grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in areas of rural America that currently do not have sufficient access to broadband. In facilitating the expansion of broadband services and infrastructure, the program will fuel long-term rural economic development and opportunities in rural America.
https://www.usda.gov/reconnect/program-overview
https://www.usda.gov/reconnect/program-overview
Announcement Awardees
USDA invested in 103 projects in the third round of the ReConnect Program. The investments represent $1.66 billion in grant and loan funding for high-speed internet. The funded service areas include a total of 105,370 households.
Below are details about the FY 2022 Funding Opportunity Announcement awardees.
Below are details about the FY 2022 Funding Opportunity Announcement awardees.
Our Project
Applicant: Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
Location: Alaska
Total square miles: 26.7
Funded Service Area Households: 269
Award amount: $34,885,420
This Rural Development investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. This network will connect 844 people, 22 businesses and seven public schools to high-speed internet in Bristol Bay Borough, Dillingham Census Area, Lake Borough, and Peninsula Borough in Alaska. Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative Inc. will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program and Lifeline Program. Eligible households receive discounts for broadband services in tribal entities and one-time discounts toward the purchase of a computer or tablet. This project will serve New Stuyahok, Levelock, King Salmon, New Koliganek, Naknek, South Naknek, and Ekwok Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas and the socially vulnerable communities of Dillingham, Lake and Peninsula.
Location: Alaska
Total square miles: 26.7
Funded Service Area Households: 269
Award amount: $34,885,420
This Rural Development investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. This network will connect 844 people, 22 businesses and seven public schools to high-speed internet in Bristol Bay Borough, Dillingham Census Area, Lake Borough, and Peninsula Borough in Alaska. Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative Inc. will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program and Lifeline Program. Eligible households receive discounts for broadband services in tribal entities and one-time discounts toward the purchase of a computer or tablet. This project will serve New Stuyahok, Levelock, King Salmon, New Koliganek, Naknek, South Naknek, and Ekwok Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas and the socially vulnerable communities of Dillingham, Lake and Peninsula.
Press Release: January 2025
This project will replace 100% of the old copper telephone system with the newest high tech fiber optic communications system in the service areas; Levelock, Ekwok, New Stuyahok, Koliganek, South Naknek, Naknek and King Salmon.
Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative had experienced a delay with the Reconnect Project Environmental Studies as State Historic Preservation Office required a pedestrian survey across 80 miles of tundra. There were no historical items or artifacts found and this work was completed in Quarter 3 of 2024. We are aiming to complete ROW and permitting by early January, the next steps are meeting with MRL Engineering to review final engineering plan and expect to start project in the spring of 2025.
Currently in BLM Review.
This project will replace 100% of the old copper telephone system with the newest high tech fiber optic communications system in the service areas; Levelock, Ekwok, New Stuyahok, Koliganek, South Naknek, Naknek and King Salmon.
Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative had experienced a delay with the Reconnect Project Environmental Studies as State Historic Preservation Office required a pedestrian survey across 80 miles of tundra. There were no historical items or artifacts found and this work was completed in Quarter 3 of 2024. We are aiming to complete ROW and permitting by early January, the next steps are meeting with MRL Engineering to review final engineering plan and expect to start project in the spring of 2025.
Currently in BLM Review.
Press Release: February 2025
BBTC USDA Reconnect 3 is very close to getting the green light for the start of work. In December the Bureau of Land Management, whom we have been meeting with over the past two years, needed “to comply with recent internal policy changes.” We have been adjusting project schedules to keep pace with the progress of preliminary environmental report requirements. There may be a minimal impact to our proposed summer start schedule. I will note that these delays also include correcting a couple Right of Way problems with our neighbors, Katmai National Park & Preserve in King Salmon. We have had a couple of great meetings since December and both agencies support our regional broadband project and they are doing their best to help get us across the finish line. Teams from BLM, NPS, USDA, BBTC, UMIAQ, and DOWL are working together to make sure our project gets started on a solid foundation so our successors can focus on the future and not look back.
Also note the BBTC right-of-way team includes Margaret Nelson, Broker at Denali Real Estate of Rose Capital, Inc. Folks in our project area should be expecting continued contact in the coming weeks, as we look forward to crossing these final tasks off our to-do list.
BBTC USDA Reconnect 3 is very close to getting the green light for the start of work. In December the Bureau of Land Management, whom we have been meeting with over the past two years, needed “to comply with recent internal policy changes.” We have been adjusting project schedules to keep pace with the progress of preliminary environmental report requirements. There may be a minimal impact to our proposed summer start schedule. I will note that these delays also include correcting a couple Right of Way problems with our neighbors, Katmai National Park & Preserve in King Salmon. We have had a couple of great meetings since December and both agencies support our regional broadband project and they are doing their best to help get us across the finish line. Teams from BLM, NPS, USDA, BBTC, UMIAQ, and DOWL are working together to make sure our project gets started on a solid foundation so our successors can focus on the future and not look back.
Also note the BBTC right-of-way team includes Margaret Nelson, Broker at Denali Real Estate of Rose Capital, Inc. Folks in our project area should be expecting continued contact in the coming weeks, as we look forward to crossing these final tasks off our to-do list.
Press Release: March 2025
USDA Reconnect 3 Project Update BBTC is in the home stretch with completing the environmental phase of this project. During the last 30 days, engineers completed the last of the field survey work needed to complete and verify staking sheets and project bid packages. We are still working with the Bureau of Land Management for two portions of land we propose to cross that will provide our Northern villages with broadband connections to the outside world. We are not clear when BLM will complete, based on information from meetings, it is possible they will complete by July of 2025. Unfortunately, the work we hoped to complete this spring will be pushed back to this time in year 2026.
Within the boundaries of the Bristol Bay Borough, the NPS is working to complete permitting for our work within the ADOT highway ROW 100’ West of our main office, the utility corridor of the Lake Camp Road ROW at Pikes Lake starting at the NEA Geothermal Project driveway and the portion of the project that would install service drops to the Katmai National Park Maintenance facility in King Salmon. Please note NPS permitting should not result in any project construction delays.
USDA Reconnect 3 Project Update BBTC is in the home stretch with completing the environmental phase of this project. During the last 30 days, engineers completed the last of the field survey work needed to complete and verify staking sheets and project bid packages. We are still working with the Bureau of Land Management for two portions of land we propose to cross that will provide our Northern villages with broadband connections to the outside world. We are not clear when BLM will complete, based on information from meetings, it is possible they will complete by July of 2025. Unfortunately, the work we hoped to complete this spring will be pushed back to this time in year 2026.
Within the boundaries of the Bristol Bay Borough, the NPS is working to complete permitting for our work within the ADOT highway ROW 100’ West of our main office, the utility corridor of the Lake Camp Road ROW at Pikes Lake starting at the NEA Geothermal Project driveway and the portion of the project that would install service drops to the Katmai National Park Maintenance facility in King Salmon. Please note NPS permitting should not result in any project construction delays.
Press Release: April 2025
The USDA Reconnect 3 Project is still making progress and village construction is projected to start this summer.
The Grant award will be worked in two phases.
The USDA Reconnect 3 Project is still making progress and village construction is projected to start this summer.
The Grant award will be worked in two phases.
- PHASE ONE: Will replace all old copper communications cable and electronic equipment with fiber optic equipment to every residence, business, and anchor institutions in the villages of Ekwok, New Stuyahok, Koliganek, Levelock, South Naknek, Naknek, and King Salmon. This first phase will bring the most modern technology to our communities that will last many years into the future and eliminate many of the trouble tickets of the past.
- PHASE TWO: This work will connect all BBTC communities with middle mile transport replacing the slower speed of microwave and high latency/micro outages that comes with satellite. Special Note for DSL customers in Ekwok, New Stuyahok, and Koliganek - You will be moved off the Rural Broadband Internet piped into your communities on the older microwave system.
Press Release: May 2025
The USDA ReConnect 3 Project is nearing completion of the final steps in our environmental review process and will soon be updating project schedules accordingly. Once finalized, we will notify all members of our communities.
The USDA ReConnect 3 Project is nearing completion of the final steps in our environmental review process and will soon be updating project schedules accordingly. Once finalized, we will notify all members of our communities.
Press Release: June 2025
The USDA ReConnect 3 environmental process is still nearing completion, and we’re preparing for the next phase. A preliminary construction schedule will be shared in our upcoming newsletter. Work is set to begin later this year at the following locations:
The USDA ReConnect 3 environmental process is still nearing completion, and we’re preparing for the next phase. A preliminary construction schedule will be shared in our upcoming newsletter. Work is set to begin later this year at the following locations:
- South Naknek - construction of a new shelter and microwave tower at a new site.
- East side of Leader Creek - progressing westward from our office.
- Ekwok and New Stuyahok - new developments underway.
Press Release: July 2025
USDA ReConnect 3 Project Update
Great News from Last Week! The Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative (BBTC) USDA Reconnect 3 Project has successfully completed the environmental phase of work. This milestone paves the way for the installation of fiber optic cable to every home and business in our service area. After multiple delays over the past two years, we are pleased to announce that the required "Environmental Assessment" has been approved by the relevant government agencies. With this approval, we now have the green light to move forward into the next phase of the project.
BBTC will now focus on finalizing local and state permitting, completing Right-of-Way (ROW) negotiations, and sending out Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for contractors. We are also closely monitoring materials availability and logistics, with plans to begin work at select locations as soon as possible. A tentative project schedule will be shared once permits are submitted, ROW agreements are finalized, and contractor availability is confirmed.
What the USDA Reconnect 3 Project Means for Our Communities
This project is a game-changer for our region. It will replace the outdated copper telephone networks and technology that BBTC has built over the past 50 years. Upon completion of the fiber optic network, BBTC customers will have access to the most reliable, high-speed internet available—at affordable prices.
USDA ReConnect 3 Project Update
Great News from Last Week! The Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative (BBTC) USDA Reconnect 3 Project has successfully completed the environmental phase of work. This milestone paves the way for the installation of fiber optic cable to every home and business in our service area. After multiple delays over the past two years, we are pleased to announce that the required "Environmental Assessment" has been approved by the relevant government agencies. With this approval, we now have the green light to move forward into the next phase of the project.
BBTC will now focus on finalizing local and state permitting, completing Right-of-Way (ROW) negotiations, and sending out Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for contractors. We are also closely monitoring materials availability and logistics, with plans to begin work at select locations as soon as possible. A tentative project schedule will be shared once permits are submitted, ROW agreements are finalized, and contractor availability is confirmed.
What the USDA Reconnect 3 Project Means for Our Communities
This project is a game-changer for our region. It will replace the outdated copper telephone networks and technology that BBTC has built over the past 50 years. Upon completion of the fiber optic network, BBTC customers will have access to the most reliable, high-speed internet available—at affordable prices.
Press Release: August 2025
USDA ReConnect 3 Project Update:
BBTC was notified that Rural Utilities Service’s (“RUS”) ReConnect Program grant funds in the amount of $34,885,420.00, were released on July 9th, 2025. Monte R Lee Engineering is preparing to submit project construction prints to the USDA for final revision approvals, when this step is completed we can issue the RFP’s to construction contractors.
USDA ReConnect 3 Project Update:
BBTC was notified that Rural Utilities Service’s (“RUS”) ReConnect Program grant funds in the amount of $34,885,420.00, were released on July 9th, 2025. Monte R Lee Engineering is preparing to submit project construction prints to the USDA for final revision approvals, when this step is completed we can issue the RFP’s to construction contractors.
Press Release: September 2025
USDA ReConnect 3 Project Update:
The Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative USDA Reconnect 3 funds were released on July 9th 2025 and our first reimbursement request was submitted for engineering and environmental work. BBTC is working on logistics to get materials to the Bristol Bay region for 4 separate parts of the Reconnect project we want to start in 2025, project phases we need to get done this year are security fencing for materials and staging area, communications tower in South Naknek, outside plant transport fiber connecting Bristol Bay Borough to Levelock, and outside plant fiber installation connecting Ekwok to New Stuyahok. The remaining transport fiber placement connecting Levelock to New Stuyahok and New Stuyahok to Koliganek will begin winter of 2026 and we hope will complete by spring of 2027 weather permitting.
Fiber to the home construction will begin spring/summer 2026 and is still in planning stages. We expect Bristol Bay Borough will be the first starting point due to materials being staged in King Salmon. The Nushagak River communities fiber to the home installation start date will be dependent on when materials can be moved upriver from Dillingham.
We are still working to complete ROW and Permits, I will note we have signed the Bureau of Land Management ROW agreements on August 27th and expect the State of Alaska to complete in the coming weeks. Local permits and ROW will complete soon.
USDA ReConnect 3 Project Update:
The Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative USDA Reconnect 3 funds were released on July 9th 2025 and our first reimbursement request was submitted for engineering and environmental work. BBTC is working on logistics to get materials to the Bristol Bay region for 4 separate parts of the Reconnect project we want to start in 2025, project phases we need to get done this year are security fencing for materials and staging area, communications tower in South Naknek, outside plant transport fiber connecting Bristol Bay Borough to Levelock, and outside plant fiber installation connecting Ekwok to New Stuyahok. The remaining transport fiber placement connecting Levelock to New Stuyahok and New Stuyahok to Koliganek will begin winter of 2026 and we hope will complete by spring of 2027 weather permitting.
Fiber to the home construction will begin spring/summer 2026 and is still in planning stages. We expect Bristol Bay Borough will be the first starting point due to materials being staged in King Salmon. The Nushagak River communities fiber to the home installation start date will be dependent on when materials can be moved upriver from Dillingham.
We are still working to complete ROW and Permits, I will note we have signed the Bureau of Land Management ROW agreements on August 27th and expect the State of Alaska to complete in the coming weeks. Local permits and ROW will complete soon.
Press Release: October 2025
USDA ReConnect 3 Project Update:
BBTC has issued purchase orders this month for a few minor installation phases we might be able to schedule in year 2025. Due to State and Federal permitting and ROW delays “almost taking longer than the time required to build the job,” a majority of project won’t begin until 2026.
USDA ReConnect 3 Project Update:
BBTC has issued purchase orders this month for a few minor installation phases we might be able to schedule in year 2025. Due to State and Federal permitting and ROW delays “almost taking longer than the time required to build the job,” a majority of project won’t begin until 2026.
Press Release: November 2025
USDA ReConnect 3 Project Update:
BBTC is preparing to place the first of the material orders as we prepare to complete the last 4 ROW requests for the project. The 3 phases we expect to see first will be Microwave connecting South Naknek, Fiber route connecting Bristol Bay Borough to New Stuyahok and Fiber Route connecting Ekwok to New Stuyahok. Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative is initiating discussions for a mutual aid agreement with Nushagak Telephone Cooperative. The agreement will lay the groundwork to assist in the event of natural disasters or other system failures.
USDA ReConnect 3 Project Update:
BBTC is preparing to place the first of the material orders as we prepare to complete the last 4 ROW requests for the project. The 3 phases we expect to see first will be Microwave connecting South Naknek, Fiber route connecting Bristol Bay Borough to New Stuyahok and Fiber Route connecting Ekwok to New Stuyahok. Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative is initiating discussions for a mutual aid agreement with Nushagak Telephone Cooperative. The agreement will lay the groundwork to assist in the event of natural disasters or other system failures.
Press Release: December 2025
USDA ReConnect 3 Project Update:
The recent federal shutdown halted all progress on our USDA RC3 Project. We received our first reimbursement payment for pre-application costs immediately after the USDA offices reopened. The Project is now moving forward with remaining ROW work and planning material orders for the first phases of construction.
USDA ReConnect 3 Project Update:
The recent federal shutdown halted all progress on our USDA RC3 Project. We received our first reimbursement payment for pre-application costs immediately after the USDA offices reopened. The Project is now moving forward with remaining ROW work and planning material orders for the first phases of construction.