Plan approved to spend Georgia tax money on rural internet lines

Georgia recently finalized a plan to spend the public’s money on subsidies for high-speed internet lines, laying the foundation for broadband expansion in rural areas. Representatives for some internet providers criticized the state’s subsidy rules as being overly burdensome. They also worried that government funding might not go to areas where it’s most needed. In addition, the government will require internet providers to match state money with their own, a hefty private investment. State lawmakers will consider appropriating money for subsidies during the 2020 legislative session. It would likely cost more than $3 billion in public and private investment to wire areas without high-speed internet across the state. Legislators have yet to decide how much to spend or where the money would come from.