Peach Tree Times

Washington, D.C. – On June 26, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), announced $1.3 billion in federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The program works to expand broadband and strengthen access to affordable, high-speed internet across our state, particularly for the estimated 15% of Georgians who currently lack reliable broadband access. The funding will be distributed to various local contractors by the Georgia Technology Authority to build out the state’s broadband network Click HERE to learn more about the BEAD program. 

“This is great news for our state. This federal investment means life gets easier for hundreds of thousands of Georgians, and provides the tools and infrastructure our communities need to be competitive in the 21st century,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.“You need a broadband connection to do just about anything, you can’t even farm without a broadband connection. That’s why I was proud to lead the entire Georgia Congressional delegation in pushing the Federal Communications Commission to update their data on where broadband is and isn’t available in our state to make sure these investments to close that digital divide go where they are needed most. I’ll push the Administration in the coming weeks and months to ensure this funding is distrubted as soon as possible.”

Senator Warnock is a champion for bringing robust federal investments in broadband access to Georgians across the state. At the beginning of December, Senator Warnock announced that $250 million in American Rescue Plan funding will be invested in expanding and improving Georgians’ broadband access. He has secured more than $570 million in federal funding to bolster Georgia’s broadband infrastructure. Last year, Senator Warnock hosted FCC Chair Rosenworcel in Jackson County where he took her to meet directly with parents, students, and local officials about their broadband needs and the challenges they face. He also received a commitment from Rosenworcel to connect every Georgian to affordable and reliable broadband. Finally, the Senator has led the entire Georgia delegation in ensuring every dollar possible of federal broad comes to Georgia through accurate broadband mapping. Last week in a Senate Commerce committee hearing, Senator Warnock pushed FCC nominees on how the commission will work to ensure Georgians of all income levels are able to afford internet access following the expansion of broadband to every Georgian through the BEAD program.

Original source can be found here.