Awards of approximately $233 million will be directed to small and rural communities in the state of Florida with 27,000 underserved residents expected to benefit from the investment in 54 various projects. The funds backing the latest outreach include $135 million in state funding through the Broadband Opportunity Program with an additional $86 million in federal funding through the Multipurpose Community Facilities Program.
“Connecting Florida’s small and rural communities to broadband internet will help [residents] find jobs, access education resources and expand their businesses,” stated Governor Ron DeSantis in an announcement released by the governor’s office. “We will continue to make investments in broadband internet that support long-term growth for our communities, without federally imposed strings attached.”
The Broadband Opportunity Program focuses on the installation and deployment of broadband internet infrastructure in unserved Florida communities. The program aims to provide Floridians with access to telehealth, economic, educational and workforce development opportunities. The state level initiative works with the Multipurpose Community Facilities Program, a federal program devoted to fostering workforce development, educational opportunities and access to healthcare in small and rural communities.
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