Calhoun County, Alabama – Spectrum, a leading broadband service provider, today announced it has received a significant grant from the Alabama Capital Projects Fund, totaling more than $340,000. The grant is designed to provide gigabit high-speed Internet access to more than 450 homes and small businesses in Calhoun County. With Spectrum’s additional investment of nearly $2.3 million, the total project value exceeds $2.6 million, marking Spectrum’s significant commitment to enhancing connectivity in the region.
The grant is part of Spectrum’s broader program, which has secured a total of 23 grants to expand fiber broadband infrastructure in Alabama. These efforts are aimed at closing the gap in high-speed Internet access for approximately 21,000 homes and small businesses across the state.
State Senator Keith Kelley expressed support for the partnership between the state and Spectrum, emphasizing the positive impact it will have on the community. “I have been a lifelong advocate for my community and partnerships to make it stronger,” said Senator Kelly. “The decision to partner with Spectrum to expand broadband internet access in Calhoun County will provide the best possible connectivity for families and small businesses in the county.”
The Alabama Capital Projects Fund grant represents a critical step in Spectrum’s rural development plan, which includes approximately $5 billion in significant investments in unserved rural communities. This initiative is supported by Spectrum’s success in securing more than $1 billion in funding from the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction to provide broadband access to 1.3 million customer locations in 24 states .
Taylor Vice, senior director of government affairs for Spectrum parent company Charter, commended Governor Ivey, her administration and the Alabama Legislature for their leadership in prioritizing public-private partnerships in expanding broadband access. “We commend Alabama officials for helping us make meaningful change for our residents,” Vice said.
Currently serving 654,000 customers in Alabama and employing more than 1,200 residents in the state, Spectrum remains committed to enhancing connectivity and promoting economic development through its broadband infrastructure initiatives.
The grant awarded to Spectrum represents an important step toward achieving broader high-speed internet access in Calhoun County, marking a positive step toward bridging the digital divide and providing more connectivity opportunities for the community.
