In a significant development for Etowah County, Spectrum has proudly announced the receipt of an Alabama Capital Projects Fund Grant exceeding $1.4 million. This grant aims to facilitate the provision of gigabit high-speed internet connectivity to nearly 800 residences and small enterprises within the county. With Spectrum’s additional investment of nearly $3.3 million, the total project outlay stands at an impressive $4.7 million.
State Senator Andrew Jones expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thanks to the state’s latest ARPA grants, Etowah County families and businesses will finally have access to reliable and fast internet.” He emphasized the potential impact on education, telehealth, employment, and economic development within these rural communities.
This grant is part of a broader initiative, with Spectrum securing 23 grants in total to expand fiber-optic broadband infrastructure across Alabama. These efforts are expected to extend broadband coverage to approximately 21,000 more households and small businesses statewide.
State Representative Craig Lipscomb highlighted the importance of internet access in today’s digital landscape, noting that it is crucial for keeping families connected, businesses operational, and healthcare services accessible. He expressed optimism about the imminent availability of high-speed internet through Spectrum, particularly benefiting rural areas like Etowah County.
Alabama’s Capital Projects Grants complement Spectrum’s ongoing rural construction initiative, which forms a cornerstone of the company’s substantial investment in underserved rural communities. This initiative includes over $1 billion secured in the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction, aiming to provide broadband access to 1.3 million customer locations across 24 states.
Taylor Vice, Sr. Director of Government Affairs at Charter, commended Alabama officials for their leadership in fostering public-private partnerships to bridge the digital divide. He underscored the collective effort to make a tangible difference in residents’ lives through enhanced connectivity.
Currently serving 654,000 customers in Alabama and employing over 1,200 residents in the state, Spectrum continues to enhance its offerings. Spectrum Internet delivers speeds of up to 1 Gbps, with Advanced WiFi options for residential and small business users. Moreover, Spectrum Business Internet offers download speeds of up to 1 Gbps, catering to diverse connectivity needs.
In addition to broadband services, Spectrum now provides Spectrum Mobile™ and Spectrum TV® options. Spectrum Mobile, the nation’s fastest-growing mobile provider, seamlessly integrates with Spectrum Internet to offer customers nationwide 5G access at competitive rates. Meanwhile, Spectrum TV boasts over 270 HD channels and access to a vast library of free On Demand content, accessible through the Spectrum TV App across various platforms.
Overall, Spectrum’s initiatives promise to significantly enhance internet accessibility, connectivity, and entertainment options for residents and businesses across Alabama, marking a significant step towards narrowing the digital divide.
