Kentucky has been awarded $2.1 million in federal grant money to fund broadband mapping and planning throughout the state.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration has awarded the Commonwealth Office of Technology approximately $1.6 million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and $500,000 for broadband planning of improvements and expansion activities over a five-year period.
“Broadband data collection is an integral step toward our final goal, which is to ensure that all regions, citizens and businesses have the tools available to them to compete in the 21st-century economy,” said Jonathan Miller, secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet. “The results of this reporting and planning process will leave us better equipped to move our state and our citizens forward to keep pace with technology.”
In 2004, Kentucky began a mission to accelerate the growth of technology. The intent was to enhance support of community and economic development, improve healthcare, enhance education and provide more effective government. In order to meet this mission, the commonwealth entered into an agreement with an outside provider to create and maintain a statewide broadband map. At the time, Kentucky was one of the first states to have such a far-reaching initiative.
While the project fulfilled the requirements at the time, updates are necessary due to the ever-changing technology, growth of households and expansion of broadband providers.
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