DeSantis Announced $3 Million For Broadband In And Around Jay, Escambia County

February 3, 2023

Thursday, Gov Ron DeSantis announced $144 million in rewards through the Broadband Opportunity Grant Program to expand access to broadband internet for Florida’s underserved communities, including over $3 million in projects for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Speaking in Milton, DeSantis announced:

  • Town of Jay; Fidelis, Berrydale, Cobbtown, and Unincorporated Santa Rosa County, ($2,363,937) — to deploy 103.7 miles of new fiber optic cable and provide FTTH services to 791 unserved locations within Santa Rosa County with download speeds of 300 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps. The funds will go to a Charter Communications project.
  • Escambia County ($802,489) — to deploy 24.8 miles on new fiber optic cable and provide FTTH services to 206 unserved locations within Escambia County with minimum download speeds of 300 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps.

“I am proud to be in Santa Rosa County to announce the first awards through Florida’s Broadband Opportunity Program,” said DeSantis. “Broadband internet access creates jobs and enhances educational opportunities for Floridians. I look forward to continued investments through this program to ensure Florida families have access to important resources no matter where they live.”

“Broadband internet service is essential for workforce development, education, and healthcare. Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has taken monumental steps to bring reliable, high-speed internet to all Floridians,” said Department of Economic Opportunity Deputy Secretary Ben Melnick. “There is no doubt that the projects awarded today will shape the future of broadband in Florida, and we look forward to supporting the Governor’s vision for a connected economy.”

Administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), the Broadband Opportunity Program funds the installation and deployment of broadband internet infrastructure in unserved Florida communities, providing access to telehealth, economic, educational, and workforce development opportunities.

Comments

5 Responses to “DeSantis Announced $3 Million For Broadband In And Around Jay, Escambia County”

  1. Lee on February 6th, 2023 6:50 pm

    @John Bone Jones – Who is doing that?

  2. sally Radlauer on February 6th, 2023 11:41 am

    Thank you President Biden! and for the $13 Billion that Fl will receive from the Biden administration.

  3. John Bone Jones on February 3rd, 2023 10:54 am

    hypothetical question, if DeSantis’ was a dem, would he be getting crucified for spending?

  4. Taylon on February 3rd, 2023 8:52 am

    For Santa Rosa let’s hope hope that Charter actually doesn’t just take the money and run like they basically did up in New York. At least New York sued them and Charter had to settle for close to $175 million (“worth” that much anyway, not out of pocket that much sadly).

    For Escambia County are those funds in addition to what was announced to help EREC roll theirs out, or is that just part of what the county awarded? I wouldn’t mind for more of Escambia to get access to fiber internet.

  5. Josh Jones on February 3rd, 2023 8:47 am

    The American Rescue Plan provided funding to help provide every American with access to affordable, high-speed internet.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News