The lack of cellphone or broadband internet for some residents in Lyndeborough prompted the town to spend $100,000 to provide these services when a confluence of issues led to concerns about safety.

A statewide program was created several years ago offering funds to help municipalities pay for infrastructure upgrades such as these, and Lyndeborough is hoping that it will reimburse the town for these communications improvements.

“We’re pleading for help with this,” said state Rep. Lisa Post, a Republican whose district includes Lyndeborough, citing the financial burden of this work on a town of less than 2,000 people.

The Broadband Matching Grant Initiative (BMGI) is a program established three years ago to improve internet access across the state. Under the pandemic-prompted American Rescue Plan Act, the federal government approved $26 million for New Hampshire’s Capital Projects Fund, and the Executive Council decides on how the money is disbursed.

Town officials hope that the Executive Council will approve their request Sept. 25.

The need to address connectivity became most urgent during the pandemic. The geography of the northern part of Lyndeborough, referred to by some as a valley, made cell service there “extremely poor,” according to Post, and intense weather events have interrupted landline service, as well. These factors created additional unease during COVID when the numbers of people seeking to contact medical authorities and EMTs spiked. Post cited the case of a woman falling ill during the pandemic, and neither the landline or cell service at her house were functioning.

Matt Conserva, broadband manager of the state’s Department of Business and Economic Affairs, confirmed that the town is eligible for federal funds. Initially, the town reached out to Consolidated Communications and TDS Telecom to improve services, and in May 2022, Lyndeborough contracted with Comcast to provide the needed upgrade for 68 households.

“They said they’d have all the poles up and be done by the end of December, and they actually finished ahead of schedule,” Post said.

Town officials lauded Bryan Christiansen and Chris Hodgdon of the firm’s government affairs office for this positive outcome. Regarding the Executive Council decision, Conserva said: “Last month, eight such grants were put before them, and acted upon within the blink of an eye. Approved.”

Last year, the state’s Capital Projects Fund reported that 17% of Granite State households have no broadband access at all. In 2022, BroadbandNow, an internet research organization, rank ed New Hampshire 23rd of 50 states for internet coverage, speed and cost.

On Sept. 25th, the Executive Council will meet at 10 a.m. at Brookdale Fruit Farm’s Wholesale Building in Hollis. These meetings are open to the public for observation only and are not forums for comment, but they can be accessed via conference call at 603-931-4944 and after the prompt, typing in 594 751 883#.

“We’re trying to remain positive about this reimbursement happening,” Post said. “We’re a small town.”