On Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey announced the awarding of $26.6 million in grants to expand broadband services across the Yellowhammer State.
According to the governor’s office, the awards will enable providers to expand services to nearly 15,000 additional households, businesses and public facilities, as well as to schools and police and fire services.
As broadband providers will supply access to the services, households and businesses will have to pay for connection to the service.
In a release, Ivey expressed her appreciation to the Alabama Legislature for authorizing the funds to be awarded for further expansion of high-speed internet services.
“Alabama continues to make strides in providing reliable high-speed internet services for families and businesses throughout Alabama,” stated the governor. “I extend my thanks to legislators who realize the importance and the huge impact that access to broadband services mean for Alabama. I also thank the service providers for their willingness to be a part of this mission to change the lives of Alabamians.”
The nine Broadband Accessibility Fund grants will be administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). The grants will be issued through ADECA’s Alabama Digital Expansion Division, which was created by legislation signed by Ivey in 2021 focusing on broadband expansion in Alabama.
According to ADECA director Kenneth Boswell, modern broadband services have the ability to “change the world” for those that benefit from the high-speed internet access.
“Having access to high-speed internet service can change the world for families in rural areas particularly when it comes to education, health care or running a business” declared Boswell. “I am honored to have the trust that Governor Ivey and the Alabama Legislature have placed in ADECA to administer this program that is making a difference for people throughout the state.”
Grants awarded and affected areas, as provided by the governor’s office:
Blount/Etowah Counties
Comcast Cable Communications – $1.32 million to provide access to 956 households, businesses and public institutions in the towns and communities of Allgood, Altoona, Walnut Grove, Pana, Ellison Crossroads and Redbud.
Cherokee County
Comcast Cable Communications – $4.74 million to provide broadband access to 2,778 households, businesses and public buildings in the towns of Leesburg, Sand Rock and the community of Anderson.
Colbert County
Comcast Cable Communications – $1.2 million to provide broadband access to 1,567 households, businesses and public establishments near the town of Leighton and the communities of Ford City and Hatton and an area near the town of Littleville.
DeKalb County
Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative – $3.4 million to provide broadband access to 826 households, businesses and public service institutions in or near the towns, cities and communities of Mentone, Valley Head, Fort Payne, Cloudmont, Cloudland, Union Hill, Moon Lake, Ponderosa, Bankhead, Little River East Fork, Little River West Fork, Oakdale, Sylvania Gap and DeSoto State Park.
Jackson County
Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative – $4.37 million to provide broadband access to 1,818 households, businesses and public buildings to include all or parts of the towns and communities of Dutton, Section, Langston, Powell, Macedonia, Davistown, Pleasant View, Hodge and Hancock Crossing.
Lauderdale County
Spectrum Southeast – $2.31 million to provide broadband access near the town of Waterloo. The project will make high-speed internet available to 2,267 households, businesses and public institutions.
Mobile County
Comcast Cable Communications – $686,298 to provide broadband access to 438 households, businesses and public institutions in the communities of Alabama Port and Mon Louis.
St. Clair County
Comcast Cable Communications – $3.63 million to provide broadband access to 2,104 households, businesses and public institutions in an area adjacent to the town of Ragland.
Walker County
Spectrum Southeast – $4.95 million to provide broadband access for 2,097 households, businesses and public institutions in the areas of the towns of Oakman and Nauvoo.
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
