Cities share in $101.6M in broadband expansion grants

The state will award 20 cities part of $101.6 million in funding as part of the second round of broadband and digital opportunity grants. 

These investments will provide last-mile broadband access and digital opportunity programs to more than 97,000 Tennesseans across 75 counties. With this latest grant round, TNECD’s total commitment to expanding the state’s broadband infrastructure rises to $683 million, with an additional $132.6 million invested in digital opportunity initiatives, connecting more than 700,000 Tennesseans across 280,000 residential and business locations. 

Connected Community Facilities (CCF) grants were awarded to 12 cities, who will share in funds totaling $49.4 million. These funds will enable workforce development, virtual health monitoring, virtual education, and broadband access, all within one building for communities throughout Tennessee. 

Recipients of the award include $1.8 million for the Dandridge Municipal Library, More than $1.38 million for Etowah, $2 million for Kingsport, $727,048 for Henning, more than $1.58 million for Memphis, $1.98 million for Mt. Pleasant, more than $1.79 million for Newbern, $736,200 for Oneida, more than $1.8 million for Ripley, more than $1.9 million for Somerville, $609,980 for Sweetwater, and $2 million for Whiteville. 

Broadband Ready Communities (BRC) grants were awarded to eight cities, who will share in $1.6 million. These funds will support community-based digital skills training and deliver the technology necessary to equip communities with digital adoption resources. 

Recipients of the grants include $45,956 for Baxter, $100,000 for Clinton, $94,763 for Dayton, $100,000 for Dunlap, $100,00 for Knoxville, $21,782 for McMinnville, $100,000 for Sparta, and $94,763 for Spring City.