Idaho County was one of 18 grantees awarded a CPF grant in FY2024.
Approved by the Idaho Legislature and signed by the Governor, the CPF grant program was opened
prior to the end of FY2023.
In FY2024, IBAB awarded $120 million in funding from the CPF program to 18 broadband projects across Idaho, connecting over 30,000 homes and businesses.
IBAB and the State of Idaho funded broadband projects that assist with or improve distance learning, telehealth, telework, economic development and public safety. These awards meet the Federal CPF criteria and improve internet connectivity in unserved and underserved locations.
The grant, totaling $11,589,881, will fund an open-access, middle-mile hybrid project from Orofino through Nezperce to Grangeville. The project is planned to connect to the Idaho Broadband Fund IIG/IRON project.

Jerry Zumalt, Idaho County Disaster Management Coordinator said this project has the potential to create new opportunities for Idaho County including increased internet access for local government and anchor institutions, promoting increased economic activity, expanding employment opportunities and access to higher paying jobs.
Zumalt said this kind of infrastructure is key to sustaining communities and is foundational to helping residents thrive in the digital age.
“The completed project will provide distance learning options, including higher education offerings for completing advanced degrees, obtaining critical technical skills and also improving and expanding rural healthcare delivery,” Zumalt said.
Although the project is still underway, Zumalt said the project is ahead of schedule and is currently concluding environmental and survey work, with permitting and engineering design work underway as of writing this report.
“We want Idaho connected and our citizens, businesses, anchor institutions and dispatch centers provided with robust, high-speed fiber,” Zumalt said. “To reinforce this effort, we are also building a broadband coalition and planning team with a BEAD Planning grant from IBAB to pursue BEAD funds for last-mile connectivity across this service area.”
Learn more about Idaho broadband programs and the Idaho CPF program here.