State grants will expand system past electric footprint
Talladega, Alabama — As Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative completes a fiber internet system meant to serve all its members, state grants are spearheading future growth for the network.
Coosa Valley Technologies, CVEC’s internet subsidiary, has earned nine grants in recent weeks, which will help fund expansion of the fully-fiber network beyond the cooperative’s electric footprint. Work on these projects will begin as soon as CVEC finalizes its buildout to serve its electric consumers.
“Fiber internet improves educational opportunities, quality of life, workforce development and business prospects,” said CVEC General Manager Jon Cullimore. “When our members first voted to create an internet subsidiary, we promised to deliver this high-quality service to them first. With that project nearing completion, we believe others in our area can benefit from our reliable and fast service.”
On Tuesday, Ivey’s office awarded nearly $150 million in Capital Projects Fund projects designed to connect unserved and underserved homes and businesses to broadband. Coosa Valley Technologies won six of these grants.
Worth $12.5 million, the funds will help expand services to portions of eastern Shelby, western Talladega, southern Etowah and northern Calhoun counties.
“We’re excited about these grants. They will help us offer broadband services to areas near our electric footprint,” said Wesley Allen, CVT’s manager of operations. “We targeted these areas since they are a natural fit for expansion. We’ll be bringing the highest quality internet service available to areas that are truly unserved.”
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s office also awarded Alabama Anchor Institution/Middle Mile (AIMM) Program grants on Feb. 12, of which Coosa Valley Technologies earned three. These grants provide CVT with more than $7 million in funding to connect “anchor institutions” like schools and hospitals in St. Clair County along the I-20 corridor and in several portions of Talladega and Calhoun counties.
“To connect the organizations, businesses and institutions that enhance the quality of life for many in our region is a tremendous honor,” Allen said. “Our broadband will help to enhance the services these institutions offer, which will improve the lives of everyone in the region.”
The state legislature allocated $188 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds to AIMM to create a middle-mile broadband network. Creating more middle-mile networks offer broadband internet providers the connectivity they need to provide more homes and businesses in rural communities with true broadband services.
Once Coosa Valley Technologies finalizes the grant paperwork, it will have two years to complete all projects.