Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey announced on Tuesday a significant investment to expand high-speed internet services across Alabama, with nearly $53.5 million awarded to the Alabama Fiber Network. This grant aims to further develop the state’s “middle-mile” broadband network, impacting 24 counties and bringing the state closer to comprehensive broadband access.
The grant supports the second phase of the middle-mile broadband project, a strategic initiative designed to bridge gaps in broadband infrastructure. By enhancing the middle-mile network, it becomes more cost-effective and less labor-intensive for providers to extend broadband services to businesses and households.
“This project will add approximately 1,095 miles of high-speed middle-mile broadband for our communities, and it will connect approximately 120 community anchors, like educational institutions, medical facilities, local government offices, and police and fire departments to this service,” said Governor Ivey. “Just as important, it puts us closer in Alabama to ensuring that everyone has access to this fundamental service.”
The Alabama Anchor Institution/Middle-Mile Program will leverage the grant to enhance connectivity in Baldwin, Coffee, Colbert, Covington, Dale, Dallas, DeKalb, Elmore, Etowah, Franklin, Hale, Jefferson, Lee, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Mobile, Montgomery, Perry, Russell, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties. This initiative will place more than 7,500 unserved businesses and residences within five miles of high-speed internet connectivity.
The funding for this middle-mile project comes from the state’s allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) will administer the program through its Alabama Digital Expansion Division, established by Governor Ivey and the Alabama Legislature to concentrate on broadband expansion.
“This grant phase is another giant step in the long, but attainable process of providing high-speed internet to every corner of the state,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “I commend the Alabama Fiber Network for this cooperative effort and their major role in this venture. I appreciate the confidence that Governor Ivey and the Alabama Legislature have shown in ADECA by entrusting us with this life-changing program.”
The Alabama Fiber Network is comprised of several electric cooperatives including Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative, Covington Electric Cooperative, Cullman Electric Cooperative, Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Cooperative, North Alabama Electric Cooperative, and Tombigbee Electric Cooperative, along with the generation/transmission cooperative PowerSouth Energy Cooperative.
ADECA oversees a broad range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation, and recreation.
