Gov. Kay Ivey has now awarded more than $20 million in grants for the expansion of high-speed internet in rural Alabama communities in 2021.

The state passed the milestone with Wednesday’s announcement from Ivey that her administration had awarded $1.3 million to expand broadband in Lee, Colbert and Lawrence Counties.

“The Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund is helping us make steady progress in providing high-speed internet services in Alabama,” stated Ivey in a release from her office. “I am thankful for all the partners in this process who are making these projects a reality.”

Ivey awarded $736,329 to JTM Broadband to provide broadband services in parts of Colbert and Lawrence Counties and $302,245 to Spectrum Southeast to expand services in Lee County.

The Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund was created by the Alabama Legislature in 2018.

“Having accessibility to broadband services can make a world of difference in terms of education, business and health care,” noted ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to have a role in this process that is helping to improve the lives of so many Alabamians.”

Boswell’s agency, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, is charged with administering grants from the fund.

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The latest round of grants will benefit a variety of community needs in their respective areas.

JTM Broadband will deploy approximately 62 miles of cable in Colbert and Lawrence Counties to provide high-speed internet capability to more than 1,200 residents, 31 businesses and seven community anchors (public buildings, fire stations, schools and community centers).

Spectrum Southeast will make broadband services available to more than 430 households and five businesses in west Lee County.

Tim Howe is an owner of Yellowhammer Multimedia