Victoria Addison is reporting in the Register-Star Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo traveled to Hudson Wed., Aug. 3, and announced plans to expand broadband service statewide within the next two years. During the event held at the Hudson Area Library, Cuomo announced the first round awards under the state's new Complimentary Broadband Grant Program. The list included $8.7 million to State Telephone Company of Coxsackie, $2.5 million to Germantown Telephone Company and $1.01 million to Mid-Hudson Data Corp., which serves Columbia, Greene and southern Albany counties. The selected projects are expected to serve 30,000 homes currently underserved or without high-speed internet access. Cuomo was joined by Michael Tucker, president and chief executive officer of the Columbia Economic Development Corporation, and Audrey Zibelman, chair of the New York State Public Service Commission. In his remarks, Cuomo said, “We are going to go from 99 percent that doesn't have high-speed internet today to 100 percent having it in two years, which is going to be an amazing transformation.” Read the full story in the Register-Star.

DOWNLOAD or PLAY the full audio file (26:31). (Recording from NYGovCuomo YouTube channel.)