USDA Invests $86 Million in Rural Broadband Service in Eight States

The following was a press release issued by the USDA on June 24, 2020 WASHINGTON, June 24, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $86 million in rural broadband service(PDF, 110 KB) for 17,000 people and businesses in eight states. “Access to high-speed broadband internet, or e-Connectivity, is a cornerstone of prosperity anywhere, …

USDA Invests $62.3 Million in Rural Broadband Infrastructure for Alabama Families

The following release was issued by the USDA on December 5, 2019 HAMILTON, Ala., Dec. 5, 2019 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced USDA has invested $62.3 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve e-Connectivity for more than 8,000 rural households, 57 farms, 44 businesses, 17 …

State Legislation Update: The Latest in Broadband

Bowling Green, KY (August 6, 2019) – Staying up-to-date on what is happening in your state legislature is important, especially when it comes to rural broadband. Broadband affects the economy, growth of organizations and businesses, education and much more. Connected Nation is on top of what’s happening with broadband in your state. Texas  Over the last two months, big improvements in broadband funding …

Central Alabama Electric Cooperative ramps up broadband push

Published by YellowHammerNews on August 5, 2019 By Sean Ross PRATTVILLE — High-speed broadband access is on the way to Alabamians in Central Alabama Electric Cooperative’s (CAEC) primarily rural 5,000 square-mile service territory. At a packed announcement event on Friday, the cooperative explained that it has formed a wholly owned subsidiary, named “Central Access,” to construct a 400-mile fiber optic ring that …

Ivey awards grants to provide high-speed internet to several communities

Published by The Alabama Political Reporter  By Brandon Moseley  Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday announced that she has awarded more than $1.14 million in grants to provide access to high-speed internet in several Alabama communities. The six grants are the second round of awards presented by Ivey under the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. In the latest round, some providers …

Alabama Bill Expanding Broadband to Rural Communities Signed Into Law

Published by WVUA 23 on May 31, 2019 Alabama took a major step in expanding its broadband internet service in rural communities across the state this week. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the Rural Broadband Initiative into law Thursday. Started by the legislature last year, the bill will expand an existing grant program under the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. “Each day …

UPDATE: List of States Funding Rural Broadband Gets Even Longer

by Jessica Denson Director of Communications, Connected Nation Bowing Green, KY (May 14, 2019) – Earlier this month, Connected Nation took a closer look at the action states are taking to expand rural broadband access. Many state lawmakers are choosing to move forward now rather than wait for federal funding. Less than two weeks later, we can add nearly another …

Opinion: Every Citizen in Alabama Deserve High-speed Broadband

Editor’s Note: The Alabama House passed HB 400 on May 6 which is focused on expanding broadband to rural communities. Connected Nation agrees with Sen. Del Marsh  that “every citizen in Alabama deserves high-speed broadband” but we would change that wording slightly to read that every citizen in America deserves access. The following opinion piece was published by the Alabama Political …

Alabama House Passes Broadband Bill

Published by Alabama Political Reporter on May 6, 2019 By Brandon Moseley  The Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation last week to try to make broadband more available to Alabamians, particularly rural Alabamians who few high-speed internet options. House Bill 400 is sponsored by state Representative Randall Shedd, R-Cullman. Shedd said, “We have all seen the map with whole counties …

From Georgia to Minnesota: State Lawmakers are Taking Bipartisan Action for Rural Broadband

by Jessica Denson Director of Communications, Connected Nation Bowling Green, KY (May 2, 2019) – Federal legislators have taken action in recent months to begin expansion of rural broadband across the U.S.  But, many state lawmakers are not waiting for federal funding to come through before taking steps of their own. The number of states passing or introducing bills to …