Governor Ivey Announces Broadband Working Group for CARES Act Funding

by Staff
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MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced a Broadband Working Group to gather input and guidance on allocation of CARES Act monies. The group will be facilitated by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) appropriated $1.9 billion to Alabama to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic. Alabama Act 2020-199 divided the state funds into 10 categories and charged up to $300 million to be spent to expand broadband statewide.

Governor Kay Ivey

“Our state has serious gaps in broadband coverage, and we must do everything possible to ensure as many of our residents and businesses have access to a service that has become a vital part of  today’s world whether through education, business, healthcare or dozens of other vital areas,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “I am proud to establish this group of esteemed individuals to help us lay the groundwork moving forward.”

Members of the Broadband Working Group include:

Kenneth Boswell, Director        Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

Michelle Roth                            Alabama Cable & Broadband Association

Marcus Campbell                       Alabama County Commission Association

Mayor Gary Fuller                     Alabama League of Municipalities

Jason Davis                                Alabama Power

Cedric Hudson                           Alabama Rural Broadband Coalition & Perry County Commissioner

Sean Strickler                             Alabama Rural Electric Association

Trip Horne                                 ALFA

Wayne Hutchens                        AT&T

Dr. R. Mark Nelms                    Auburn University

Katie Britt                                  Business Council of Alabama

Kelly Butler                               Alabama Department of Finance

Fred Johnson                              Farmers Teleco

Lindsay Rane Carter                  Great Southern Wood

Abe Carter                                 Harper Technologies

Taylor Smith                              PowerSouth

Jeremy Fisher                             TVA

Dr. Eric Wallace                        UAB

Andy Newton                            Uniti Fiber

Dr. Curt Carver                          University of Alabama

Bob Davis                                  Verizon

ADECA administers the Broadband Accessibility Fund which was created to assist broadband providers in extending high-speed internet service in unserved areas of the state or in areas lacking minimum threshold service. ADECA is also requesting voluntary information on broadband internet access and speed from residents and businesses. Alabamians are encouraged to take the speed survey at https://alabama.speedsurvey.org/ to help locate gaps in broadband service.

Media Release/Office of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey

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