Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) on Monday continued her broadband tour with an event at Cullman Electric Cooperative in Cullman County. Ivey discussed upcoming broadband projects in Cullman and Winston counties.
“Our presence in Cullman County today underscores our commitment to providing access to high-speed internet for every Alabamian,” said Gov. Ivey. “The remarkable strides made here, supported by the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund and Cullman Electric Cooperative, signify our dedication to connecting unserved residents. This milestone represents our journey towards statewide connectivity, demonstrating that when one community gains access, we all move closer to a more connected and prosperous Alabama.”
Ivey was joined by Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Director Kenneth Boswell, Cullman Electric Cooperative CEO Tim Culpepper, state Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman), and state Reps. Randall Shedd (R-Cullman) as well as Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley).
The speakers addressed the nearly $7 million in grant and matching funds committed for broadband projects in the area. The broadband expansion will give over 1,300 currently unserved addresses the ability to be connected in Cullman and Winston counties. Ivey and Boswell also discussed the overall success of the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund (ABAF).
ABAF is funded by the Alabama Legislature. It supports targeted projects in communities in need of high-speed internet access. These funds, awarded by Governor Ivey and managed by ADECA, give internet service providers the ability to execute projects that connect individual households, businesses, community anchor institutions such as libraries and schools, and others to broadband infrastructure.
“A primary mission of mine in the Alabama Legislature is to ensure that every single Alabamian will have access to high-speed internet,” said Rep. Shedd. “I was proud to discuss the progress we have made so far in my district, and I look forward to continuing our work to make sure that all Alabamians can take advantage of the 21st-century technology that is critical to everyday life. These investments we have made through programs like the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund have already brought high-speed internet access to tens of thousands of households and businesses, with tens of thousands more on the way.”
“Our continued progress in expanding high-speed internet access would not be possible without a unified team working hard every day to accomplish our state broadband goals,” said Director Boswell. “This team includes Governor Ivey, the Alabama Legislature, internet service providers, and others too many to name working together to make sure Alabama residents and Alabama communities have the tools needed to thrive.”
Since 2018, Alabama has invested approximately $82 million in state dollars through grant awards supporting more than 100 projects through the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. Once all Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund projects awarded to date have been completed, access to broadband service will be available to more than 72,000 Alabama households, businesses and community institutions that currently have no option to subscribe.
Following the program, Governor Ivey, speakers, and residents of Cullman and Winston counties participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking.
Alabamians interested in learning more about what the state is doing to expand high-speed internet access are encouraged to visit the Be Linked Alabama website, a hub of internet expansion information and news. It includes the Alabama Broadband Map, county profiles and dashboards, and statewide broadband news.
Be Linked Alabama represents the state’s united effort to expand access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet. As Alabama works toward achieving the goal of high-speed internet access for all, the statewide initiative is coordinated by ADECA and brings together partners from across the state, including Governor Ivey, the Alabama Legislature, internet service providers, research institutions, utility companies, community leaders, and the public.
The state has received hundreds of millions of dollars through the American Rescue Plan Act and the infrastructure bill to spend on rural broadband projects. Broadband expansion combined with road and bridge infrastructure improvements, aggressive economic development efforts, and improving the state’s education system is all a part of Gov. Ivey’s broader plan to reverse the decades-long decline in rural Alabama counties.
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