Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) highlighted several broadband infrastructure improvement projects across Middle and Southwest Georgia funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and with local matching funds. The projects were announced by Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp, state leaders, and the state’s Broadband Infrastructure Committee. In Middle and Southwest Georgia projects to expand broadband internet access to over 18,000 sites were awarded over $54.6 million. Congressman Bishop worked to pass the American Rescue Plan Act last year.
“The pandemic exposed the existing challenge America has faced ensuring broadband internet access for its rural and underserved communities. Broadband infrastructure provides high-speed internet access that helps our students and teachers keep connected and our businesses connect with customers in the digital economy — strengthening their footprint in local markets and expanding into new markets beyond their local community,” said Congressman Bishop. “While not a single Republican member of the House of Representatives voted to pass the American Rescue Plan Act, thankfully it became law and today dozens of communities across Georgia are benefiting from the resources it is providing through Governor Kemp and Georgia’s Broadband Infrastructure Committee.”
“The Board of Commissioners wishes to thank President Biden, U.S. Senators Ossoff, Senators Warnock, Congressman Bishop, Governor Kemp, Senator Summers, Representative Yearta and the Broadband Committee members for this historical funding that will expedite internet access for Lee County and rural Georgia,” said Lee County Manager Christi Dockery. “It will help get internet access into the homes of students and strengthen the communications backbone upon which our first responders rely. It will expand the internet infrastructure that our farmers and businesses need in order to grow. It will touch all aspects of our community life — from economic development and rural health to education and public safety.”
“We are excited about the project and the $25 Million that will be invested in our county. Being in a rural area we have many citizens that do not have adequate internet service,” said Sumter County Board of Commissioners Chair Mark Waddell. “With this investment in broadband access and the increased need for internet services, we will now be able to keep up with the demand and fulfill a need for our citizens and community.”
Recipients in Middle and Southwest Georgia included:
- Early County was awarded $11,394,739 to expand broadband access to 2,683 sites.
- The Lee County Board of Commissioners was awarded $12,541,241 to expand broadband access to 4,234 sites.
- The One Sumter Economic Development Foundation, Inc. was awarded $25,387,600 to expand broadband access to 5,726 sites.
- Spectrum Southeast Chattahoochee was awarded $248,027 to expand broadband access to 446 sites.
- The Stewart County Commission was awarded $6,662,285 to expand broadband access to 2,729 sites.
- Terrell County was awarded $9,641,770 to expand broadband access to 2,270 sites.
Since the Start of the Emergency Connectivity Fund’s operation, 33 awards have been made directly to schools and libraries in Bibb, Clay, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Macon, Marion, Mitchell, Muscogee, Peach, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, Taylor, Terrell, and Webster Counties.
Altogether, those schools and libraries have received over $15.7 million to purchase internet devices and expand broadband connectivity. The latest round of funds through this program were distributed last month.
Original source can be found here.
