Montgomery, AL –Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday at an appearance in Dothan revealed that nearly $400 million of federal funds and more than $1.4 billion in the U.S. Department of Commerce Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) will be used to improve the availability of high-speed internet throughout Alabama. Governor Ivey also revealed Be Connected Alabama with the designation of hub and name to represent the state’s continuing efforts to improve the availability of high-speed internet.
span data-ogsc=”rgb(14 16), 26 )”>”Providing the internet to everyone Alabamian regardless of whether in our major urban areas or the most rural regions is one of the top priorities of the Ivey Administration since the very beginning,” said Governor Ivey. “As we officially launch Be Connected Alabama on the day of today and continue to strengthen our efforts to connect the state. Connecting Alabama to high-speed internet throughout every county is a long-distance journey and not a one-way journey, but Alabama is definitely well-positioned to win this race within the next few years.”
The brand new name is accompanied by major investments that were made possible by federal funds derived from the American Rescue Plan Act that were given through lawmakers of the Alabama Legislature in 2022 and 2023 to help expand high-speed internet in the most remote regions of the state.
Governor Ivey announced the forthcoming open of grant applications for the $182 million in the Capital Projects Fund to support “last-mile” projects that will provide the necessary connection to homes, businesses and anchor institutions for communities. The period for applications is scheduled to begin on the 14th of August and will close on October.
In addition, the state’s brand-new Anchor Institution/Middle mile (AIMM) programme will also be funded by the second installment of American Rescue Plan Act funds that will be allocated in the legislative Session. Over $200 million is expected to be allocated to this initiative, which could possibly serve up to 500 anchor facilities which include institutions like universities and colleges rural hospitals, as well as public facilities that aren’t provided with services, and “middle-mile” deployments that create the infrastructure needed to in the last mile deployment of Internet service companies. The deadlines for applying to the AIMM programs will be revealed during an event scheduled on the 11th of August.
Be Linked Alabama represents the state’s unison effort to increase access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet for all residents of Alabama. The initiative, which is statewide, is led by ADECA and is a collaboration between partners across the state and beyond, from but not only Governor Ivey as well as the Alabama Legislature and internet service providers as well as utility companies, research institutions and community leaders as well as the general public as Alabama strives to achieve the goal of high-speed Internet accessibility for all.
Today also launches the Be Linked Alabama website, an online hub for internet expansion news and information. The site is located at broadband.alabama.gov. It contains broadband maps, the Alabama Broadband Map, county profiles and dashboards, as well as the latest news from the statewide broadband.
span data-ogsc=”rgb(14 16 and 26). )”>”We are a strong team in Alabama which includes elected officials like our governor as well as members of the Legislature and private sector companies and citizens, local officials and communities that are all united in pursuit of a common goal to ensure that each Alabamian the opportunity to connect,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “Our state has achieved a significant amount of progress in our quest to increase broadband speeds for all providers, however we have a ways to travel. Be Linked Alabama shows the progress we’ve made and the ongoing growth to be made .”
“The money announcement today is going to have long-lasting impact on the future of Alabama, and I am elated to be able to manage the use of the funds in a way that gives our state the most benefits. Every dollar is important and we will be able to use these funds efficiently to make Governor Ivey’s dream of providing the entire state of Alabama access to high-speed Internet a reality.”
Since the year 2018, Alabama has invested $88.6 million in state funds by awarding grants to the development of 109 projects under the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. After all projects awarded until now are completed, internet services will be accessible to over 82,000 Alabama residents, businesses and community organizations that don’t have access to high-speed internet. In September 2022 Governor Ivey made a promise to aid in the development of broadband “middle-mile” infrastructure for networks to enhance access for last mile projects.
In addition to the announcement today Governor Ivey announced in June that Alabama will be receiving an $1.4 billion budget from the BEAD Program to boost ongoing efforts to improve access to areas that aren’t. ADECA will submit Alabama’s plan of using the money in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
The announcement today included a demonstration of students at Wallace Community College. Wallace Community College campus on how to set up fiber optic cables required to provide high-speed internet. The training, which was developed by the Alabama Community College System’s Innovation Center, brings together the state’s community colleges as well as businesses as well as community members to offer classes for free to all participants, thanks to funds that is provided by Ivey along with Alabama Legislature. Alabama Legislature.
