Governor Kay Ivey announced on Feb. 27, 2024, the awarding of nearly $150 million to continue the expansion of high-speed internet service to unserved areas across Alabama, including more than $4 million for Cullman Electric Cooperative to expand Sprout Fiber Internet.
Cullman Electric Cooperative applied for and received $4.1 million to provide broadband services through Sprout Fiber Internet in areas of Cullman and Winston counties. The expansion has the potential to reach 1,979 households and businesses. CEO Tim Culpepper said this grant will help co-op staff as it develops Sprout’s expansion plans for 2025 and beyond.
“The areas that received funding from this CPF grant are in future phases that do not yet have access to Sprout Fiber Internet,” Culpepper said. “This is another step toward Cullman Electric Cooperative achieving its ultimate goal of making Sprout Fiber Internet available to all our members.
“We appreciate Gov. Ivey, ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell and ADECA Division Chief for the Digital Expansion Division Maureen Neighbors for their leadership in expanding access to high-speed internet throughout the state. We are grateful to our state legislative delegation of Senator Garlan Gudger, Representative Randall Shedd, Representative Corey Harbison and Representative Tim Wadsworth for their support of Cullman Electric’s efforts to improve broadband fiber internet services in our area.”
The 66 Capital Projects Fund grants totaling $148.3 million were awarded to 16 internet service providers that will expand high-speed internet availability to homes, businesses and public institutions in portions of 48 counties.
The “last mile” projects announced by Governor Ivey will mean more than 5,000 miles of broadband infrastructure, and once in place, they will have the ability to provide access to almost 54,000 households, businesses and institutions like hospitals, schools and libraries.
“High-speed internet service continues to strengthen and expand across the state, and we are taking the necessary strides on this journey to achieve full broadband access for Alabama,” said Governor Ivey. “This has been a monumental task, but it is one that will pay multiple dividends for our state and its residents. Today is an exciting day as we announce these latest projects.”
These projects are supported by the American Rescue Plan Act funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants.