PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Photo: Courtesy of Lowndes Signal
We are pleased to announce the launch of South Central Alabama Broadband Cooperative District (SCABCD), Broadband Technical Assistance Program, funded and supported by USDA Rural Utilities Broadband Technical Assistance Program for broadband planning assistance in 45 local communities in 15 South Central Alabama Counties through SCABCD Broadband Technical Assistance Program.
“The Alabama State USDA Office Of Rural Development is pleased to partner with the South Central Alabama Broadband Cooperative District in this Cooperative Agreement to bring this sorely needed initiative to South Central Alabama and the Black Belt,” said Mr. Nivory Gordon, State Director USDA Rural Development.
As billions of dollars in once-in-a-generation federal funding for broadband infrastructure begin to flow to community projects, SCABCD wants to ensure that resources, peer support, and capital reach the communities that need it most.
The Broadband Technical Assistance team will offer technical assistance support on a rolling basis from any community-facing entity leading efforts on broadband including counties, municipalities and service providers.
We invite local leaders to join us in this important investment in your neighborhood to create more equitable access and opportunity for all. We look forward to hearing from your community.
The project will benefit the following rural communities in South Central Alabama, primarily
within the counties served by SCABCD: Bullock County: Fitzpatrick and Midway, Butler County: Georgiana and McKenzie, Choctaw County: Needham, Conecuh County: Castleberry and Evergreen, Dallas County: Selmon-west, Sardis, Tyler, and Valley Grande, Escambia County: Brewton, East Brewton, and Riverview, Greene County: Boligee, Hale County: Greensboro, Lowndes County: Benton, Farmersville, Braggs, Minter, Lowndes, and Tyler, Macon County: Franklin and Fort Davis, Marengo County: Nanafalia, Providence, Putnam, and Sweetwater, Perry County: Union Town, Pickens County: Aliceville, Carrollton, Gordo, McMullen, Memphis, Pickensville, and Reform, Sumter County: Bellamy, Emelle, Epes, Gainsville, Geiger, Livingston, and Panola, Wilcox County: Oak Hill, Pine Apple, and Vredenburg
SCABCD’s Broadband Technical Assistance, part of the USDA’s Rural Utilities Services (RUS) Broadband Technical Assistance Marketplace, connects communities with high-quality, targeted data and recommendations to produce investment-ready broadband plans and high speed connectivity for all.
Congressional action following the pandemic created a once-in-a-generation level of funding to close the digital divide across America. Affordable, reliable, high-speed internet access stimulates economic growth, lowers health care costs, improves access to education and strengthens community ties to needed services making it a necessity, not a luxury, that should be accessible to all.
Take actionable steps towards your broadband goals now. Take the community assessment below.
But communities across Alabama’s Black Belt need to know how to access these funding resources so they, too, can share in the upsides. Billions in public funding have been earmarked for high-speed broadband deployments, however, communities have demonstrated the need for additional support to address challenges including project delays while waiting for federal and state funds, identifying sources beyond public subsidies for matching funds, access to and interpretation of data, and unexpected costly and complex grant application requirements.
Our Broadband Technical Assistance team aims to deliver the insights that can help your community take actionable steps towards your broadband goals.
Selected communities in this program will receive a customized road map that will help plan, pay, and advocate for the best broadband solution to meet local needs.
Your first step in the process is to participate in your community assessment process by taking a brief speed test that is designed to gage the internet speeds and affordability that is available in your area. Please take the test here: https://register.broadband.scabcd.com help empower your community to get high speed connectivity.
