Coffee to receive $5.6 million for broadband expansion

On Wednesday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that over $234 million would be awarded in grant funds to 28 Georgia counties, including locations in Coffee County, for broadband internet expansion. 

The release states that the grants will "improve connectivity for communities, households, businesses, and anchor institutions" in areas with "some of the greatest need for high-speed internet access." 

"On August 12, 2022, Gov. Kemp announced the creation of the Capital Projects Fund Grant Program, utilizing funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The Governor's Office of Planning & Budget and the Georgia Technology Authority worked together to identify the most unserved and underserved counties in the state and establish a competitive grant program," the announcement states.

The governor stated that when combined with significant capital matches from the awardees, almost $455 million will be invested to serve over 76,000 locations. 

According to the release, Satilla Rural Electric Membership Corporation in Coffee County will receive $5,600,309.37 in funding for 2,533 locations. 

In total, 76,698 locations will receive funding for a combined total of $234,250,347.96.