Ivey announces $150 million for broadband

On Tuesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) announced the awarding of nearly $150 million to continue the expansion of high-speed internet service to unserved areas across Alabama.

Funds 66 Capital Projects Fund grants totaling $148.3 million were awarded to 16 internet service providers that will expand high-speed internet availability to homes, businesses and public institutions in portions of 48 counties.

"High-speed internet service continues to strengthen and expand across the state, and we are taking the necessary strides on this journey to achieve full broadband access for Alabama," said Governor Ivey. "This has been a monumental task, but it is one that will pay multiple dividends for our state and its residents. Today is an exciting day as we announce these latest projects."

The "last mile" projects announced by Governor Ivey will mean more than 5,000 miles of broadband infrastructure, and once in place, they will have the ability to provide access to almost 54,000 households, businesses and institutions like hospitals, schools and libraries.

Economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones Wadsworth told the Alabama Gazette, "Today Governor Kay Ivey announced approximately $150 million in grant awards to continue the expansion of high-speed internet service to unserved areas in 48 counties throughout Alabama. In 2017, Alabama ranked 47th in internet connectivity. Through partnerships between the public and private sector, our state now ranks 24th and desires to continue in an upward trajectory. Thank you to all who have worked to bring this infrastructure necessity to Alabama citizens, and congratulations to all recipients."

The Capital Projects Fund projects are supported by the American Rescue Plan Act funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants.

"This has been a remarkable journey made possible by Governor Ivey, the Alabama Legislature, the state's internet service providers and so many other willing and eager participants," said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. "Once completed, these projects announced today will provide access for thousands of families."

"The thing that I think is neat about what we are doing here is that it is a great example of Alabama collaborating and working together," said Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed (R-Jasper). "You have got the private sector, you have got government, you have got different industries, you have got people in the north and south - everybody collaborating on what will be great for Alabama's future. We all know important the internet is and how important that coverage is going to be across our state."

"I am one of those from a rural county, that until recently had limited options in high speed internet," said Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville). "Last month Governor Ivey visited Dekalb County to give a progress report on eight projects. With those eight projects you have got 4,300 addresses in my home area that will come online for the first time ever."

"Just like we did with Rebuild Alabama in 2019 to come together to find Alabama solutions to an Alabama problem." Ledbetter added.

Those awarded Capital Projects Fund grants and coverage areas are:

• AT&T Southeast – Five grants totaling $6.97 million to expand broadband services in Franklin, Jefferson, Mobile, Morgan and Russell counties. The expansion has the potential to reach more than 1,871 households and businesses.

• Central Alabama Electric Cooperative – Seven grants totaling $21.94 million to expand broadband services in areas of Autauga, Chilton, Coosa, Dallas and Elmore counties. The service area includes more than 6,000 potential households and businesses.

• Connect Holding (Brightspeed) – Two grants totaling $388,061 to expand broadband services in Pickens and St. Clair counties. The projects have the potential to reach 479 households and businesses.

• Coosa Valley Technologies Inc. – Six grants totaling $12.57 million for expanded broadband services in Calhoun, Etowah, Shelby and Talladega counties. The service area includes more than 974 potential households and businesses.

• Cullman Electric Cooperative – One grant totaling $4.1 million to provide broadband services in areas of Cullman and Winston counties. The expansion has the potential to reach 1,979 households and businesses.

• Farmers Telecommunications Corp. – Two grants totaling $7.29 million to expand broadband services in DeKalb County with the potential to serve more than 1,600 households and businesses.

• Knology (WOW!) – One grant totaling $2.39 million to expand broadband services in parts of Henry and Houston counties. The expansion has the potential to reach about 970 households and businesses.

• Mediacom – Eight projects totaling $22.8 million to provide broadband services in parts of Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe and Mobile counties. The project areas include almost 8,000 households and businesses.

• Millry Telephone Co. Inc. – One grant totaling $3.6 million to expand broadband services in parts of Washington County. The expansion has the potential to reach 988 new households and businesses.

• Pea River Electric Cooperative – One grant totaling $5 million to expand broadband services in parts of Barbour and Henry counties. The expansion has the potential to reach 1,529 new households and businesses.

• Pine Belt Telephone Co. – Four grants totaling $3 million to provide additional broadband services in Clarke and Marengo counties with the potential to reach more than 480 new households and businesses.

• R.M. Greene Inc. – One grant totaling $2.85 million for broadband expansion in parts of Barbour and Russell counties that will reach more than 680 new households and businesses.

• Spectrum Southeast - 23 grants totaling $44.83 million to provide broadband services in parts of Bibb, Butler, Calhoun, Chambers, Cleburne, Coosa, Colbert, Cullman, Elmore, Etowah, Geneva, Greene, Houston, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Marshall, Montgomery, Morgan, Pickens, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa and Tuscaloosa counties. The service areas include 22,000 potential households and businesses.

• Tombigbee Electric Cooperative – One grant totaling $2.78 million to provide broadband services in parts of Winston County. The service area includes 1,584 potential households and businesses.

• Troy Cablevision (C Spire) – One grant totaling $1.65 million to expand broadband services in Dale and Houston counties. There are nearly 700 potential households and businesses in that service area.

• Yellowhammer Networks – Two grants totaling $5.13 million to provide broadband services in Bibb, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Marengo, Perry and Sumter counties. The project areas include almost 3,700 households and businesses.

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