Tennessee will receive nearly $6 million in its first grants through the Internet for All initiative to deploy fast internet networks as well as technical training programs.
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration made the grant announcement in a news release issued Dec. 12.
“I thank Gov. Lee for his work to expand Internet service throughout Tennessee. Addressing the needs of rural Tennesseans is essential to achieving digital equity and closing the digital divide,” Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in the release.
Applications for similar grants have been made by the 50 states and six U.S. territories under the Internet for All initiative’s Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment program and the Digital Equity Act program, the release reported. Tennessee is among the first states to receive its funding, whose approval will be announced on a rolling basis.
Around $5 million will be invested in the development of a thorough five-year plan that identifies aspects of internet access across the state such as affordability, equity and the extent to which broadband exists in the state, according to the release.
