Ivey Earmarks More Funds For Broadband

Gov. Kay Ivey recently announced the awarding of $148.3 million to continue the expansion of high-speed internet service to unserved areas across Alabama. The 66 Capital Projects Fund grants, supported by American Rescue Plan Act funding, were awarded to 16 internet service providers that will expand high-speed internet availability to homes, businesses and public institutions in portions of 48 counties. The “last mile” projects will mean more than 5,000 miles of broadband infrastructure to serve almost 54,000 households and organizations. AT&T Southeast is getting $6.97 million and Mediacom is getting $22.8 million to expand broadband services in counties including Mobile. Other organizations receiving funding for work in other counties are the Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, Connect Holding (Brightspeed), Coosa Valley Technologies Inc., the Cullman Electric Cooperative, Farmers Telecommunications Corp., Knology (WOW!), Millry Telephone Co. Inc., the Pea River Electric Cooperative, Pine Belt Telephone Co., R.M. Greene Inc., Spectrum Southeast, the Tombigbee Electric Cooperative, Troy Cablevision (C Spire) and Yellowhammer Networks.