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Kentucky Awarded $1 Million Federal Grant to Help Expand High-Speed Internet

Tech Republic

Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman have announced that Kentucky has been awarded a $1 million federal grant to help expand high-speed internet across the commonwealth.

“During the pandemic, we have seen the importance of reliable high-speed internet access for education, businesses, workforce and health care,” said Gov. Beshear. “Access to the internet is no longer a luxury. Every home and business in our state should have access to affordable, adequate and reliable internet to participate fully in our economy, schools and society.”

“We are thrilled that we have been awarded this grant to plan the expansion of high-speed internet across the commonwealth. This grant will help us strengthen the digital infrastructure in Kentucky’s urban and rural communities,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “We have been focused on expanding high-speed internet access to every part of our state and this grant will help us reach that important goal.”

Under the American Rescue Plan, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) was allocated $3 billion in supplemental funding to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks.

All 59 states and territories have been invited to apply for a $1 million grant through EDA’s Statewide Planning program – one of six programs EDA developed to equitably distribute its $3 billion in American Rescue Plan funding.

In August 2020, the administration dedicated $8 million in CARES Act funding to expand internet connectivity for elementary and secondary students and their families.

Through a bipartisan agreement signed into law by Gov. Beshear in 2021, Kentucky’s Broadband Deployment Fund will assist private sector entities and governmental agencies in the cost of constructing the “last mile” of high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved households and businesses across Kentucky.

The fund includes $300 million earmarked to address the connectivity needs of these communities, including $250 million for the construction of high-speed internet infrastructure to connect unserved and underserved areas – no more than $50 million of which may be awarded before April 1, 2022 – and $50 million for economic development opportunities.

Combined with at least 50% required matching federal investments, a minimum of $600 million will support high-speed internet expansion in Kentucky, creating more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Coupled with the broadband speed test, access mapping and the KentuckyWired project, the commonwealth has the potential to move to the forefront of broadband expansion nationwide.

(provided by the Office of Gov. Andy Beshear)

Paul Hitchcock earned his Masters in Communications from Morehead State University and Bachelors in Radio-TV/Psychology from Georgetown College. A veteran broadcaster for more than 40 years and an avid fan of blues, jazz and American roots music. Hitchcock has been with WMKY since 1986 and was named General Manager in 2003. He currently hosts "Muddy Bottom Blues" (Fri., 8pm-9pm), "Nothin' But The Blues" (Sat., 8pm-12am), "Sunday Night Jazz Showcase" and "Live From The Jazz Lounge" (Sun., 8pm-9pm) and "The Golden Age of Radio" (Sun., 2pm-3pm). He also serves as producer for "A Time For Tales" and "The Reader's Notebook."
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