Consolidated Communications awarded $11.8 million matching grant to bring future-proof fiber to 12 rural New Hampshire communities

More than 1,500 homes and businesses will have access to multi-gig internet from Fidium

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Sept. 6, 2024 - Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL), a leading broadband and business communications provider, today announced it has been awarded a $11.8 million grant to build a new fiber network across 12 communities in rural New Hampshire.

When complete, this project will bring Consolidated's fiber service, Fidium, to more than 1,500 homes and businesses in Barnstead, Barrington, Belmont, Epsom, Farmington, Francestown, Gilmanton, Gilmanton Iron Works, Lancaster, Pittsfield and Strafford.

The grant was funded through New Hampshire's Broadband Matching Grants Initiative (BMGI), which provides grants to internet service providers and municipalities to improve broadband availability across New Hampshire. BMGI is funded through the Department of Business and Economic Affairs using the state's allocation of Capital Projects Fund (CPF). Consolidated will invest $7.7 million for this $19.5 million project.

"We're proud to help secure these communities' fiber future," said Sarah Davis, vice president of Market Development for Consolidated Communications. "The BMGI is helping us continue to expand the life-changing power of fiber internet to small, rural communities that simply must have better access to thrive in today's increasingly connective world."

In 2023, Consolidated was awarded a $40 million N.H. Office of Broadband Initiatives Grant, and is well on its way to completing fiber infrastructure connecting more than 57,000 N.H. homes and businesses in the coming months. Consolidated Communications has built fiber to more than 272,000 New Hampshire homes and businesses since 2021 and has a track record of strong community partnerships in the state.

About Consolidated Communications

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNSL) is dedicated to moving people, businesses and communities forward by delivering the most reliable fiber communications solutions. Consumers, businesses and wireless and wireline carriers depend on Consolidated for a wide range of high-speed internet, data, phone, security, cloud and wholesale carrier solutions. With a network spanning more than 63,000 fiber route miles, Consolidated is a top 10 U.S. fiber provider, turning technology into solutions that are backed by exceptional customer support.