Alabama Governor Ivey Awards $82.45 Million for Improved Access to Broadband through Alabama Middle-Mile Network

Governor Kay Ivey (R-AL) awarded an $82.45 million grant to help make statewide broadband service availability a more attainable goal throughout Alabama. The grant will be used by Fiber Utility Network, a corporation formed by eight rural electric cooperatives, to fund a “middle-mile” broadband network that will have a statewide impact. The Alabama Middle-Mile Network project involves filling in gaps in broadband expansion and results in more cost-effective and feasible ways to provide broadband service to residents in rural areas. The Fiber Utility Network will create a middle-mile network that will connect almost 3,000 miles of existing and new fiber infrastructure within a three-year period. When complete, the network will provide improved access to unserved areas for the last-mile projects that provide actual broadband availability to homes, businesses, and schools. Once connected, residents will have the ability to become a customer of the last-mile broadband providers. Funds for the project are being provided through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The use of those funds was approved by the Alabama Legislature.