MONTGOMERY – More residents in several North Alabama communities will have access to high-speed internet, according to Gov. Kay Ivey’s office.
The governor announced nearly $5 million will be provided to expand broadband services in three counties – Cullman, Morgan and Winston.
The grants are part of some $24.72 million awarded to broadband providers across the state to support projects in unserved or underserved areas of Alabama. The completed projects will enable nearly 20,000 households, businesses and community anchors to have access to high-speed internet.
“Broadband continues to be a top priority of my administration, and as we continue to move into these next four years, we’re taking our broadband journey with us,” Ivey said. “The projects underway reach across the state and will allow better access to opportunities in education, health care, business and other normalcies of life. Broadband is vital infrastructure, and our map continues to light up.
“I am pleased to support these transformative projects as we work toward achieving high-speed internet availability for every Alabamian.”
According to the governor, households and businesses must subscribe to paid service to receive broadband. Broadband providers only supply the access, but households and businesses must still pay for connecting to the service. The expansion will also provide additional links to make it more feasible to supply future broadband service within those areas.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers Broadband Accessibility Fund grants from state government funds allocated by the Legislature. The money is issued through ADECA’s Alabama Digital Expansion Division, which was created by legislation signed by Ivey in 2021 to focus on broadband expansion in Alabama.
Including the grants announced today, more than $88.6 million has been awarded to support 109 projects across Alabama since the fund’s start in 2018.
“ADECA is honored to be administering this program that will improve the lives of so many Alabamians,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “It is our goal to carry out our duties with this program efficiently and effectively and in the best manner conceivable so that we reach as many Alabamians as possible.”
Grants awarded and affected areas are:
Cullman, Morgan and Winston counties: Cullman Electric Cooperative – $4.58 million to provide broadband access for 1,356 households, businesses and community anchors in parts of Cullman, Morgan, and Winston counties.
Winston County: Spectrum Southeast – $351,119 to provide broadband services for 715 households, businesses and anchors in the vicinity of Double Springs and Lynn.
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