Local Broadband Funds Detailed

Rural areas in nine Alabama counties, including Mobile and Baldwin counties, will get expanded broadband connections as a result of $24.72 million in grants awarded last week by Gov. Kay Ivey, AL.com reported. The grants were awarded to broadband providers across the state to support projects in unserved or underserved areas. Ivey said that once the projects are complete, approximately 20,000 households, businesses and community anchors will have access to high-speed internet. Mediacom was the beneficiary of the funds in Mobile and Baldwin counties. In the former, it will receive $3.11 million to provide access for 2,824 households, businesses and community anchors near the communities of Grand Bay and Wilmer. It will receive another $3.31 million to provide broadband service availability for 1,715 households, businesses and community anchors near Mount Vernon. In Baldwin County, it will receive $2.91 million to provide internet access affecting 1,895 households, businesses and community anchors in an area near Robertsdale. The grants are the continuation of an ongoing push by the state to grow access to broadband.