Ivey forms broadband working group to advise on spending CARES Act funds

Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced the formation of a broadband working group to gather input and guidance on the State’s allocation of up to $300 million in federal funds.

A release from the governor’s office advised that the group, to be facilitated by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), will meet for the first time virtually on Friday.

The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) appropriated $1.9 billion to Alabama as COVID-19 relief funding. An executive amendment tacked on by Governor Ivey to the state’s Fiscal Year 2021 General Fund budget package divided these federal funds into 10 categories and charged up to $300 million to be spent to expand broadband across the Yellowhammer State. Leaders in the legislature such as Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) had wanted to spend up to $800 million of the Alabama CARES Act total for broadband expansion.

Marsh this week in a statement said “a stunning lack of rural broadband investment” will be on the agenda for the legislature next session.

In a statement announcing the working group’s formation, Ivey said, “Our state has serious gaps in broadband coverage, and we must do everything possible to ensure as many of our residents and businesses have access to a service that has become a vital part of today’s world whether through education, business, healthcare or dozens of other vital areas.”

“I am proud to establish this group of esteemed individuals to help us lay the groundwork moving forward,” she concluded.

Members of the working group are as follows:

Kenneth Boswell, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
Michelle Roth, Alabama Cable & Broadband Association
Marcus Campbell, Alabama County Commission Association
Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, Alabama League of Municipalities
Jason Davis, Alabama Power
Cedric Hudson, Alabama Rural Broadband Coalition & Perry County Commissioner
Sean Strickler, Alabama Rural Electric Association
Trip Horne, ALFA
Wayne Hutchens, AT&T
Dr. R. Mark Nelms, Auburn University
Katie Boyd Britt, Business Council of Alabama
Kelly Butler, Alabama Department of Finance
Fred Johnson, Farmers Teleco
Lindsay Rane Carter, Great Southern Wood
Abe Harper, Harper Technologies
Taylor Williams, PowerSouth
Jeremy Fisher, TVA
Dr. Eric Wallace, UAB
Andy Newton, Uniti Fiber
Dr. Curt Carver, UAB
Bob Davis, Verizon

ADECA is also requesting voluntary information on broadband internet access and speed from residents and businesses. Alabamians are encouraged to take the speed survey here to help locate gaps in broadband service that can be addressed by expansion projects.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn