Award part of $447 Million in Statewide Broadband Infrastructure Investments
LORETTO, TN–Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart McWhorter announced Tuesday that the state will award $7,466,068.00 to Loretto Telecom, a Skybest Company, to continue its fiber optic/broadband expansion throughout Lawrence County.
The broadband infrastructure grants total $446,770,282 across the state and will provide broadband access to more than 150,000 unserved homes and businesses across 58 counties.
Jason Shelton, Loretto Telecom General Manager, commented, “First off, we are grateful for the continued partnership from both the State and local levels of Leadership who truly recognize the digital divide in rural areas. This grant will support another 150~ miles of new fiber infrastructure and providing future-proofed services to over 1,800+ Lawrence Countians.” He added, “As part of Loretto Telecom’s ongoing commitment to Lawrence County, we are matching the $7.5 million in state grants with an additional $3.2 million of our own funds, for a total $10.7 million to continue to bring 21st century internet throughout this great county.”
Governor Bill Lee observed, “People are moving to Tennessee from across the nation in record numbers, and we have an obligation to prepare our state for continued growth. Our strategic investments in broadband infrastructure will ensure our rural communities are connected and have every opportunity to thrive, and I thank the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group for managing dollars effectively to serve Tennesseans.
According to the 2020 Broadband Deployment Report published by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), one in six rural Tennesseans lacks access to broadband. Since 2018, TNECD has awarded nearly $120 million in broadband grants through state and federal funding to serve more than 140,000 Tennessee households.
David Morgan, Lawrence County Executive reflected, “Nothing is more crucial to a community’s quality of life than access to broadband, especially in rural areas. I thank the State of Tennessee for its commitment to rural residents across the state, and Loretto Telecom for its commitment to Lawrence County. This investment is a tremendous blessing for our county as a whole and for every household it touches.”
Ryan Egly, Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO added, “For more than 125 years, Loretto Telecom has equipped Lawrence County businesses and families with the reliable telecommunication service essential to an ever-increasing digital economy and lifestyle. With this combined $10 million investment, the State of Tennessee and Loretto Telecom have solidified their commitments to developing rural economies by providing access to broadband internet across our community.”
“To achieve economic growth and prosperity, it’s imperative that Tennessee’s communities have the proper infrastructure in place,” McWhorter observed. “Thanks to the $447 million awarded in funding, broadband access will be available to 36 grantees with 75 projects across 58 Tennessee counties, and we look forward to seeing how these grants spur further success among each community.”
The U.S. Department of the Treasury previously defined “unserved areas” as lacking access to a wireless connection capable of minimum speeds of 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3Mbps upload. However, due to the increasing demands of the digital age, any connection that provides lower than 100 Mbps download speed and 20 Mbps upload speed is now deemed “unserved.” In consideration of this new definition, application priority was still given to those with the lowest internet speeds, but all applications under this new definition of “unserved” were considered.
Funding for these grants comes through the Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund –American Rescue Plan (TEBF-ARP), which utilizes a portion of the state’s federal American Rescue Plan funds to address the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and work toward a strong recovery. Tennessee’s Fiscal Stimulus Accountability Group (FSAG)dedicated $500 million to broadband funding from this program, with more than $446million going to infrastructure and nearly $50 million going to broadband adoption and digital literacy efforts.
“Our world is increasingly interconnected. In order for Tennesseans to thrive in this interconnected world, broadband internet must be accessible,” said Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R -Oak Ridge). “These grants will greatly expand our broadband footprint in Tennessee giving our citizens the tools to access information, educate themselves and do business like never before. I’m grateful to Governor Lee and Commissioner McWhorter as well Commissioner Eley and my legislative colleagues on the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group for directing these dollars to benefit our citizens and our state.
“Tennessee has experienced considerable growth across all regions of our state over the past decade. Through this significant investment in our broadband infrastructure, more citizens will have the option to access high-speed broadband services at work, in their homes and in schools,” said Speaker Cameron Sexton (R -Crossville). “I appreciate Governor Lee, Lieutenant Governor McNally, Commissioner McWhorter, Commissioner Eley and members of the Fiscal Stimulus Accountability Group for their effective, committed partnership as we all continue working together to increase the reliability of services throughout the state.”
The final grants will be distributed across 75 applications submitted by 36 grantees, all of whom will provide broadband to various unserved regions of Tennessee. These grantees are a range of internet service providers, including electrical and telephone cooperatives, local municipalities, private providers and cable companies. These grant recipients were chosen through a rigorous criterion, which included the need of the grant area, the ability to complete the project and strong community support.
Media Releae/LORETTO TELECOM/Kristin Burdette
