Hardin Gains Fiber Broadband Access as Rural Expansion Continues

WHITEHALL, MT — Governor Greg Gianforte celebrated the expansion of fiber broadband access in rural Montana during a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, highlighting completed and ongoing projects that aim to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities.

Joined by Visionary Broadband CEO Brian Worthen in Whitehall, Gianforte announced the completion of a fiber broadband project in Hardin and ongoing construction in Butte and Whitehall.

“Expanding access to reliable, high-speed connections and bridging the digital divide has been a top priority in Montana,” Gianforte said. “By working with partners like Visionary Broadband and supporting projects like this, we’re ensuring reliable connection for our rural communities and creating greater access to good-paying jobs, high-quality education, and affordable health care.”

The projects are part of Montana’s ConnectMT broadband grant program, which utilizes $119.9 million in federal funding provided through the Capital Projects Fund program under the American Rescue Plan Act. In December 2022, the governor announced the Visionary Broadband projects as part of 61 total projects approved for federal funding.

Visionary Broadband previously had a small presence in Butte and Red Lodge before this year’s expansion in Montana through the grant-funded fiber projects. The new projects enhance service in Whitehall and extend coverage to Cardwell, Piedmont, Pipestone, Twin Bridges, and Waterloo.

“Homes have a need for reliable broadband. Businesses have a need for reliable broadband. Visionary saw this need in Butte, Hardin and Whitehall, and we stepped up, matching funds for the projects,” Worthen said. “I hope to continue our efforts to create an even playing field for communities through newly built broadband.”

Montana has secured additional federal funding for broadband expansion through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. In August, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration gave final approval to Montana’s BEAD proposal, according to the governor’s office, allocating nearly $629 million to increase connectivity for nearly 500,000 Montanans in unserved and underserved communities.

Gianforte was among the first governors in the nation to issue a letter of intent to apply for the BEAD planning grant, allowing the Montana Department of Administration to quickly secure the resources. Montana became the first state in the nation to open its BEAD application portal in September.

“I hope to continue our efforts to create an even playing field for communities through newly built broadband,” Worthen said.