Alabama

Public Engagement

Alabama used State Digital Equity Planning Grant funds to visit all 67 counties and hear from local citizens, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), elected officials and other community leaders. These meetings were critical in identifying each community’s unique challenges in achieving the goal of Internet for All.

Amplifying Digital Equity and BEAD Investments

In August 2023, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson and Senior Advisor to the President and Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu visited an Adtran facility in Huntsville, which is increasing production capacity to meet the demand created by Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program’s (BEAD) Build America, Buy America (BABA) obligations. The expansion means millions of new dollars in the economy and hundreds of new, high-paying jobs for North Alabama.

Assistant Secretary Davidson and Senior Advisor Landrieu also met with a small group of local educators, pastors, and other leaders from the African American community in Huntsville. The Alabama BEAD Federal Program Officer (FPO) facilitated the small group session and focused on access and affordability, as well as the importance of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).¹⁷

Connecting Minority Communities through Education

The Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program awarded seven grants to Alabama Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), which allowed them to upgrade infrastructure and improve connectivity and network resiliency for students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community.

Future Proofing Alabama with Partners

In June 2023, NTIA announced the funding of two middle mile networks in Alabama through its Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure (Middle Mile) Program. The Connect Alabama program of Troy Cablevision Inc. will build a 677.1-mile route through 28 of Alabama’s 67 counties. The Zayo Dallas to Atlanta Middle Mile project will improve existing fiber in five states along an 822-mile route that passes through 10 counties in Alabama.