KENTUCKY — The state of Kentucky was one of 12 states in the nation to be awarded grants as part of the Broadband Infrastructure Program, from the Department of Commerce's NTIA.

These grants, totaling more than $277 million, will be used to connect more than 133,000 unserved households.

Scott County will use the $3.1 million dollar grant to build last-mile fiber to reach unserved households, community anchor institutions, and businesses.

This award is expected to finance a 406-mile expansion of broadband infrastructure that will reach all rural areas in Scott County, including 5,351 currently unserved households.

Recently, local and state leaders gathered in Georgetown, Kentucky to talk about what this grant will mean for this community. 

“Enhancing broadband access for constituents is one of my top issues in Congress, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic when so many Kentuckians were working and learning remotely. This includes voting for appropriations for the NTIA, which provides the grant funding for this award. I will continue fighting for more resources to expand broadband to more Kentuckians,” said U.S. Representative Andy Barr (R-KY 06).

“In an increasingly tech-centered world, reliable broadband has never been more important for our development, connecting Kentuckians to jobs, communications, and vital emergency services. Unfortunately, too many rural communities in the Commonwealth still lack access to this core infrastructure service,” said U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY). “I am always happy to work alongside Kentucky’s local leaders to secure funding to expand broadband infrastructure and was proud to play a role in helping County Judge-Executive Joe Pat Covington and Scott County earn today’s grant."

Charter Communications is the parent company of Spectrum News 1 and is a partner in the Scott County Rural Broadband Expansion Project.

You can watch the full In Focus segment in the player above.