Governor Ron DeSantis announced funding for rural fiber internet in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties totaling over $2.6 million on Friday.
The Broadband Opportunity Program awarded $2,615,434.62 to Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s broadband initiative to expand broadband Internet access in unserved communities in Florida.
The award will add 1,015 miles of fiber optic cable to serve 1,193 unserved locations in and around Walnut Hill, Jay, Pine Level, Berrydale, Brownsdale, Dixonville, Mount Carmel, Munson, Springhill, and Whitfield, according to the state.
The initial phases of a fiber buildout are presently underway in North Escambia, and the member-owned cooperative announced about a month ago that their high-speed internet service will also be available in Santa Rosa County.
The initiative is estimated to cost $36 million and will be accessible throughout the entire EREC electrical service territory.
In March, the Escambia County Commission voted to contribute $6.3 million from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to a network that will span approximately 600 miles of fiber in Escambia County and provide service to over 4,000 EREC member locations.
It is anticipated that the network will be completed in Escambia County by the middle of 202
Friday, DeSantis announced awards totaling $60 million to support 22 broadband initiatives in 19 Florida counties, affecting nearly 58,000 locations. This brings the total amount awarded to extend broadband Internet access across the state to over $226 million, assisting to connect over 250,000 homes and businesses.
“This $60 million in awards brings our total investment in broadband to more than $226 million in order to expand broadband Internet access in Florida’s under-connected communities,” stated DeSantis.
With this investment, we are expanding opportunities in rural communities and connecting over 250,000 unconnected households and enterprises.
Meredith Ivey, acting secretary of the Department of Economic Opportunity, stated, “Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Floridians will no longer need to leave their hometowns to access education, healthcare, and business resources due to a lack of broadband Internet access.”
“Small and rural communities across the state will have access to high-speed, dependable broadband Internet at their homes and businesses and will be able to take advantage of the benefits that come with broadband Internet connectivity.”