C-Spire has been selected for the Middle Mile grant program, a Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration-led initiative, the company announced. The grant is worth $26.2 million.
The new funding is a portion of the company’s $52.6 million fiber construction project known as “Connect Alabama” and will encompass 677 new fiber route miles. The project includes Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Lee, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Shelby, Tallapoosa, Washington and Wilcox Counties.
“We are thrilled to secure this grant to continue expanding service to the residents of Alabama,” said Hu Meena, president and CEO of C Spire. “This reinforces our long-standing commitment to Alabama, and expansion of our services across the state, bringing ultra-fast fiber to rural communities, encouraging private sector broadband investment and leveraging existing resources to residents and businesses.”
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore congratulated C-Spire and Troy Cablevision (a telecommunications company recently acquired by C-Spire) and said that quality broadband connection is vital for Alabamians to succeed in today’s workplace.
“I congratulate C Spire and Troy Cablevision on their award,” said Moore (R-Enterprise). “I know they are committed to expanding access in the state of Alabama and look forward to working with them and regulatory agencies to help secure the necessary permits needed to expeditiously expand connectivity in the state.
“It is my hope that permitting agencies will move quickly to get this integral utility deployed in a timely manner.”
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville acknowledged C Spire’s efforts to expand high speed internet through the lesser populated areas of the state.
“We must ensure rural Americans are not left behind when it comes to broadband expansion,” said Tuberville (R-Auburn). They need reliable internet access so they can work, operate farms, go to school, have virtual meetings, and visit their doctors through telemedicine. I appreciate C Spire and Troy Cablevision’s leadership in expanding high-speed internet access for Alabamians in unserved communities and forging a path to even more opportunities.
“I look forward to seeing more of Alabama’s rural and agricultural communities thrive under these new advancements.”
C Spire said its fiber enhancements are part of a three-year initiative, announced in 2021, to invest $1 billion across Alabama and Mississippi – the largest capital spend in the company’s history.
C Spire also recently completed a 243-mile-long haul fiber initiative from Meridian, Miss., to Homewood.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.