Alabama Governor Ivey Launches the First of 67 County Meetings in an Effort to Bring Broadband to All Communities in the State

Montgomery (AL) – Yesterday, Kay Ivey, theGovernor, launched the first of a series of statewide events through a program run by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The Alabama Community Broadband Technical Assistance Program, (TAP), is offered in all 67 counties of Alabama. All of these meetings are open to the public.

Alabama Digital Expansion Division administers the Alabama Community Broadband Technical Assistance Program. This program provides technical assistance to Alabama’s local governments and other stakeholders who are looking to expand or deploy broadband infrastructure. It also helps communities prepare for digital opportunities and broadband deployment. This program is funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration and National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

This program gives participating counties and their jurisdictions access to tools to understand broadband gaps and potential opportunities. Communities will be better positioned to make more broadband investments to address these issues.

Alabama will make untold amounts of money available over the next few years for this purpose. The involvement of elected officials, internet service provider, government anchors, community anchors, community-based organisations, and the general public will help shape the state’s plans to ensure that counties are able to maximize these opportunities. In today’s modern world, connectivity is essential. Unfortunately, too many Alabamians are not able to get high-speed internet access. As we move into the next four year, my Administration will make it a priority to increase connectivity throughout the state. Governor Ivey said that this is a top priority. “This is only one of many meetings that will be held in all 67 counties throughout the state. I encourage local leaders and communities alike to attend. These ADECA-led programs provide the crucial steps that we need to move our state towards the broadband finish line.

Kenneth Boswell, Director of ADECA, credited the state’s steady progress towards full broadband to Governor Ivey’s leadership and federal funding.

Kenneth Boswell, Director of ADECA, stated that Alabama had made progress in mapping and planning at state level in order to improve broadband service in the most rural areas. “ADECA will provide assistance in broadband planning and mapping to counties with the funding provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce.” This funding will allow counties and communities to develop plans and data in order to take advantage of future grant funding opportunities to expand broadband access to previously untapped areas.

A representative of NTIA was also present at the kickoff meeting to announce grants of $5 million from Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment program and $981,081 under the Digital Equity Act. These grants will be used to support the program and other planning activities that aim to increase broadband service access.

Three phases will be involved in this county-level technical assistance for broadband:

1) Engagement of stakeholders and identification of assets for broadband readiness

2) Data collection and collaboration to assess the current state and establish baseline broadband requirements

3) Strategy development to enable broadband deployment and create digital opportunities partnerships

The program will begin with full-day engagements in these counties during the week of December 12-2022.

* Montgomery County – December 12

* Lowndes County, December 13

* Greene County – December 14

* Sumter County – December 15

* Marengo County – December 16

All are welcome to these meetings.

All who would like to attend these meetings should go to the “News” section of adeca.alabama.gov/broadband for details such as timing, location and program itinerary.