FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky will obtain a federal “Web for All” grant award of $5.8 million to help the growth of high-speed, dependable web all through the commonwealth, Gov. Andy Beshear introduced on Nov. 8.
Kentucky utilized for and was awarded the funding by way of the federal Broadband Fairness, Entry and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Beneath the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation, BEAD will present $42.45 billion to states and U.S. territories to broaden high-speed web entry by funding broadband planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption applications.
“Excessive-speed web is essential for future job creation, training alternatives, well being accessibility and financial endeavors,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo mentioned by way of a press launch.. “I commend Gov. Beshear and his workforce for his or her efforts to broaden high-speed web entry. They’ve displayed an important dedication to closing Kentucky’s digital divide by way of their current Higher Kentucky Plan and their proposed Higher Web for Kentucky Plan.”
The planning grant was awarded to Kentucky by way of the Division of Commerce’s Nationwide Telecommunications and Data Administration (NTIA). The greater than $5 million Kentucky is to obtain will fund:
- Identification of unserved and underserved locales;
- Rising capability of Kentucky’s broadband workplace;
- Asset mapping to establish current actions that help the venture’s purpose and establish gaps in entry, affordability and adoption;
- Collaboration with Kentucky’s state digital fairness plan; and
- Native engagement with unserved, underserved and underrepresented communities to raised perceive limitations to adoption.
This funding will assist to additional increase Gov. Beshear’s initiative to broaden high-speed web entry to areas of the commonwealth with unserved populations or these with obtain speeds of 10 Mbps or much less by way of his Higher Web Initiative.
“Increasing entry to dependable, high-speed web will enhance the lives of Kentuckians and help our future financial development,” Gov. Beshear mentioned by way of press launch. “I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris administration for this ‘Web for All’ grant, which, when coupled with our already historic investments in broadband infrastructure, will deliver transformational change to the commonwealth and profit Kentuckians for generations to return.”
This summer season, Gov. Beshear introduced greater than $89.6 million in grants to broaden high-speed web entry to greater than 34,000 Kentucky households and companies in 36 counties. Mixed with matching funds pledged by the grant recipients, the full funding for the primary spherical of broadband grants exceeds extra $204 million.
On Nov. 21, Gov. Beshear introduced purposes at the moment are being accepted for a second spherical of greater than $206 million in broadband grants that may assist create a necessary lifeline to well being care, work, college, household, buddies, clients and communities for much more Kentuckians.
The Governor’s Higher Web Initiative is a key a part of his Higher Kentucky Plan, which goals to assist the commonwealth lead within the post-COVID economic system by making use of federal {dollars} to construct new faculties, ship clear consuming water, broaden entry to high-speed web, construct stronger communities, enhance roads and bridges and broaden electrical car infrastructure.