Local counties awarded $30,000 to enhance internet connectivity

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Nonprofit Connect Humanity has awarded $30,000 to Bradley, Walker and Whitfield Counties to support broadband internet connectivity.

These counties will participate in the Appalachian Digital Accelerator. This will support communities while they create custom connectivity plans. Those plans are meant to improve internet connectivity, create new economic opportunities and healthier communities.

These plans should help the counties meet their broadband goals and prepare for improvements.

The communities will make plans to connect with state and federal resources. One of those resources, the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, will be ready for implementation late 2024.

“We are on a mission to ensure that residents of the tri-state have meaningful access to the internet to support their livelihoods and wellbeing,” said Shannon Millsaps, Chief Operating Officer of Thrive Regional Partnership. “With broadband deployment funds expected this fall, we are energized by this opportunity to partner with local communities across the region to address infrastructure challenges, affordability barriers, and digital skills gaps across the region.”

Thrive Regional Partnership will also help these communities manage their projects and provide technical support.

They add that as of February, all U.S. states have created a plan to address digital equity. This is to ensure all individuals and communities have the technology access to fully participate in society.

Connect Humanity chose these three counties based on community leadership, financial capacity to manage a federal grant and connectivity needs.