U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff announced on Friday that improved high-speed internet access will benefit rural areas in Georgia through a $250 million investment.
Ossoff shared the news at a press conference in Commerce, where he briefed Jackson County’s leaders on this historic expansion.
Jackson County and Banks County are just two out of 33 counties who are eligible to apply for this grant.
“So again, a historic day in Georgia's economic history, announcing this huge investment to connect tens of thousands of homes and businesses across the state with high speed internet access,” Ossoff said at the press conference.
According to Ossoff, about a million Georgians still lack access to high-speed internet. This expansion will not only benefit individuals and schools, but also small businesses and farms.
“That's why I've worked so hard as we upgrade Georgia’s infrastructure to ensure that broadband internet is a key priority and have delivered these resources to connect tens of thousands of homes and businesses with high speed internet connections,” Ossoff said.
Ossoff obtained the funds through the bipartisan American Rescue Plan.
Earlier this year, Ossoff and Senator Raphael Warnock secured $1.8 million to expand broadband service in Lumpkin County. According to a press release from Ossoff’s office, the funding will help expand and improve internet connections for more than 5,000 households and 193 businesses across the county. It will also fund broadband expansions for Lumpkin County schools, libraries, and health care providers.
Additionally, Ossoff assisted with the expansion of the Affordable Connectivity Program, which has helped more than 350,000 low-income Georgians afford internet service. You can apply for the program here.
“We have worked closely with [the] executive branch to ensure that the state of Georgia will maximally benefit,” Ossoff said. “And these resources are now on their way to the state of Georgia.”
