MONTGOMERY—Gov. Bob Riley says that more than $132 million in grants to expand broadband Internet service in Alabama will be a big boost to many rural areas of the state.
“The availability of high-speed Internet service will provide a substantial tool for economic development in many smaller communities and rural areas,” Riley said. “Broadband service not only expands business opportunities, it also will contribute to improved healthcare and education opportunities.”
A broadband initiative established by Riley, ConnectingAlabama, gave support and technical assistance to many of the successful grant applicants. All of the projects have the goal of creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities in previously underserved areas. To reach the greatest number of Alabamians possible, special efforts are being made to connect community institutions like libraries, schools and community centers.
The grants, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, were announced in Washington on Wednesday.
The largest grant, $59,258,545, was awarded to Trillion Communications Corporation to expand broadband service in the south-central Alabama counties of Butler, Crenshaw, Conecuh, Dallas, Escambia, Lowndes, Macon, and Wilcox. Trillion will supplement the grant with about $27 million in matching contributions. Approximately 172,000 people, 3,000 businesses and 400 community institutions are expected to benefit. The project will provide more than 550 jobs.
A grant of $26,068,284 will permit Troy Cablevision Inc. to offer broadband service to more than 127,000 residents and 3,600 businesses in southeast Alabama. As many as 140 community institutions will get broadband connections. Troy Cablevision expects the project will create about 145 jobs.
The Appalachian Valley Fiber Network is receiving $21,286,914 to expand service in Calhoun, Clay and Cleburne counties as well as several counties in northwest Georgia. Project plans include connection of 185 community institutions and 8,300 businesses. An estimated 345,000 residents in the two states could benefit from the service expansion.
North Alabama Electric Cooperative was awarded $19,100,909 in order to provide “fiber-to-the-premises” broadband service to areas of Jackson and Marshall Counties. The project will benefit more than 20,000 residents as well as 1,442 businesses and 53 community institutions.
JKM Consulting will use a $6,269,197 grant to offer affordable broadband service to rural residents and businesses in east-central Alabama. As many as 3,700 business and 126,000 individuals are expected to benefit.
Boat People SOS, a nonprofit organization that serves some of the low-income residents impacted by Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill, received a grant of $461,539. The group will establish 57 workstations at three public computer centers to provide Internet access along with skills training, education and other support.
Jessica Dent, executive director of ConnectingAlabama, says the program seeks to provide every region of Alabama with the communication tools and technical data needed to fully participate in the global economy of the 21st Century.
“Broadband service will expand business opportunities, improve the availability of distance learning and make top-quality medical care more accessible in underserved areas.” Dent said.
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Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers