Monroe County Executive Adam Bello And Spectrum Announce $2.7 Million Investment To Expand Internet Access In Rural Communities

December 8th, 2025

Spectrum internet now provides 100% countywide coverage

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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.