Montgomery (AL) –Alabama received a boost today when the U.S. Treasury Department approved the state’s plan to the Capital Projects Fund. This fund will make $191.8 million available to broadband expansion. Governor Kay Ivey made the announcement.
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will manage the funds as part of a grant programme to support projects that extend service to previously untapped areas of the state.
Last year, the Legislature approved the use of funds that are part of the American Rescue Plan Act for broadband expansion. ADECA created a plan detailing how the funds would be used and submitted it to U.S. Treasury Department September 2022. Today, approval was announced.
Governor Ivey stated, “Access to broadband in today’s world is a necessity. I continue to make sure that our state has the maximum ability to connect to high-speed Internet.” “Broadband expansion is a long journey. It’s not a quick trip,” Ivey said. These funds will allow us to make many more steps in our journey towards full access, no matter where you are located in Alabama.
Access to broadband has been a top priority for the governor. During her inaugural address, she stated that Alabama will be a national leader in broadband expansion.
The competitive grant program will be launched by ADECA’s Alabama Digital Expansion Division in the next few months. This program will be modeled on the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund that ADECA administers since 2018. Internet service providers will be able to grant grants to help them make the “last mile” connection to previously unconnected homes, businesses, and institutions. Residents will be able to connect once they are connected.
In the coming months, ADECA will release details about the grant program, including deadlines and workshop information. Providers will have approximately two year to complete major infrastructure projects if they are awarded. They must be able to download at least 100 megabits/upload at least 100 megabits per sec.
“The state has made significant progress in increasing access to high-speed Internet. This was possible thanks to Governor Ivey’s leadership, and a strong team effort between the Legislature and internet service providers,” stated Kenneth Boswell, Director of ADECA. “While there is still a great need, these funds will allow us to make more progress in closing Alabama’s digital divide.”
In 2018, Governor Ivey awarded $63.9million in state funds to 100 projects under the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. Access to broadband will become available to 61,000 additional households, businesses, and community institutions once all the projects have been completed. It has also created a state broadband map and an Alabama Connectivity Plan to guide the state’s expansion into untapped areas. Governor Ivey announced in September 2022 a grant to help build broadband infrastructure for the “middle mile” to increase access to last-mile projects.
ADECA manages a variety of programs to support law enforcement, victim service, economic development, and energy conservation.
