Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey has awarded nearly $42 million in grants to fund “last-mile” high-speed internet projects across 23 Alabama counties. These projects will expand broadband access to more than 15,000 households, businesses, and community institutions, covering 2,347 miles of infrastructure.
“With these latest grants, Alabama takes another all-important step to supplying high-speed internet availability to more rural Alabama communities and neighborhoods,” said Governor Ivey. “Upon completion of these projects, more children will have better learning opportunities, more businesses will have greater opportunities to compete worldwide, and emergency response departments and medical clinics will be able to offer improved services.”
The “last-mile” projects represent the final phase of connecting customers to high-speed internet, including households, businesses, and community institutions like schools, fire stations, and libraries. Once completed, customers will have the option to subscribe to services provided by local internet service providers.
This new round of funding follows a $148.3 million investment in February for broadband expansion in over two-thirds of Alabama’s 67 counties. The latest grants come from the remaining funds of the Capital Projects Fund, which is supported by the state’s allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
The Alabama Digital Expansion Division, a part of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), has been a driving force behind the state’s broadband efforts. ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell praised the progress, stating, “I remain honored in the trust that Governor Ivey and the Alabama Legislature have placed in ADECA in carrying out this mission that will truly change lives for the better.”
The following providers and projects have been awarded funding:
- Central Alabama Electric Cooperative: $2.28 million for 1,046 unserved households, businesses, and institutions in Chilton County over 40 miles.
- Connect Holding (Brightspeed): $139,968 for 315 unserved households and businesses in Mobile County over 51 miles, and $69,553 for 249 unserved households and institutions in Baldwin County over 19 miles.
- Farmers Telecommunications Corp.: $1.93 million for 380 unserved households and institutions in Jackson County over 44 miles.
- Innovations America (Bama Fiber): $5 million for 3,261 unserved households and institutions in Randolph County over 360 miles.
- Mediacom: $720,905 for 122 unserved households and institutions in Mobile County over 10 miles.
- Millry Telephone Co.: $2.84 million for 236 unserved households in Washington County over 51 miles.
- Spectrum Southeast: $5 million for 934 unserved households and institutions in Shelby County over 110 miles, $5 million for 1,303 unserved households and institutions in Walker County over 105 miles, and $4.43 million for 662 unserved households and institutions in Colbert and Lauderdale counties over 93 miles.
- Troy Cablevision (C Spire): $5 million for 2,132 unserved households and institutions across six counties, covering 243 miles.
- Yellowhammer Networks: $3.63 million for 2,352 unserved households and institutions in nine counties, covering nearly 1,000 miles.
The goal of these projects is to bridge the digital divide, offering more Alabamians access to critical online services, business opportunities, and educational resources. ADECA will oversee the implementation of the projects, ensuring that Alabama continues to make strides toward comprehensive high-speed internet access.
