ALBANY (AP) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pushing to devote $25 million of a job creation fund to expand broadband Internet access to rural upstate and underserved urban areas as a way to create jobs.
The high technology effort could also potentially provide far more cellular telephone coverage to the Adirondacks.
Cuomo is working with legislators to devote $25 million from the $75 million New York Works Economic Development Fund in his proposed budget.
The Legislature would have to approve that use of the job-creating fund as well as a law that would allow partnerships with private companies to implement high-speed broadband coverage.
Business groups from the Bronx to upstate New York are backing the proposal.
The state effort would mesh with a national drive.
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
