Calhoun County, Alabama – Spectrum, a leading provider of broadband services, announced today that it has received a significant grant totaling more than $340,000 from the Alabama Capital Projects Fund. This grant is aimed at extending gigabit high-speed internet access to more than 450 homes and small businesses in Calhoun County. Spectrum’s approximately $2.3 million additional investment brings the total project total to more than $2.6 million, demonstrating a substantial commitment to improving connectivity in the region.
This grant is part of a broader effort by Spectrum to secure a total of 23 grants to expand fiber-optic broadband infrastructure across Alabama. These efforts aim to close the gap in high-speed internet access for approximately 21,000 additional homes and small businesses in the state.
State Sen. Keith Kelly expressed support for the state-Spectrum partnership, emphasizing its positive impact on local communities. “I have spent my life championing communities and the partnerships that strengthen them,” said Senator Kerry. “Calhoun County’s decision to partner with Spectrum to expand broadband internet access in Calhoun County will provide the best connectivity services to families and small businesses in the county.”
The Alabama Capital Projects Fund grant represents a significant step in Spectrum’s rural construction plan, which includes a significant investment of approximately $5 billion in underserved rural areas. The effort helped Spectrum secure more than $1 billion in the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction, aimed at providing broadband access to 1.3 million customer locations across 24 states. Strengthened by success.
Taylor Bice, senior director of government affairs for Spectrum parent company Charter, praised the leadership of Governor Ivey, his administration, and the Alabama Legislature for prioritizing public-private partnerships in expanding broadband access. “I commend Alabama officials for making meaningful changes for our residents,” Bice said.
Spectrum, which currently serves 654,000 customers in Alabama and employs more than 1,200 residents in the state, remains committed to enhancing connectivity and driving economic development through broadband infrastructure efforts .
The grant awarded to Spectrum represents a significant step toward achieving widespread access to high-speed internet in Calhoun County, bridging the digital divide and empowering communities with enhanced connectivity opportunities. It represents positive progress towards achieving this goal.
