Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster announced Monday that Cumberland County has received grants to help build out broadband internet.

The latest round of the Tennessee Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Broadband Grants, using Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund – American Rescue Plan (TEBF-ARP) funds, were announced today.  Cumberland County broadband providers are set to receive $26,579,464 in grant funding with total project buildout costs at $44,484,793 and over 8,800 address points to be served.

This is an exciting announcement for the people of Cumberland County.  Four years ago, when I took office, I made a promise that I would do all I could to improve broadband access in our community.  Over the last few years, we have helped multiple providers apply for grants and other funding to help solve our broadband issues.  These grants will go a long way toward doing just that!  The years of hard work are finally paying off for the citizens of Cumberland County!

Prior to these grants, approximately $20,486,700 had been allocated to broadband projects in Cumberland County that totaled over 9,125 new address points with current or future access. This will increase those numbers to approximately $65,000,000 being invested in Cumberland County broadband, and almost 18,000 new address points being served.

Ben Lomand is set to serve more than 6,900 new address points in areas all across the county.  Their TNECD grant total is $22,490,360 and the total project cost is $37,1296,085.  See graphic below with the new TEBF-ARP Grant award area in blue and previous grant award areas in yellow.

Bledsoe Telephone will serve almost 1,900 new address points in the southern portion of the county.  Their TNECD grant total is $4,089,104 with a total project cost of $7,355,708.

Cumberland County agreed to match a portion of TNECD grant funding for any provider receiving a grant in our county.  This funding will come from American Rescue Plan funds (ARPA) that were reserved last year for an amount not to exceed $3,000,000.  These funds will help to offset the difference between the TNECD grants and the total buildout costs of the providers.  Providers received additional points on their grant applications because Cumberland County agreed to help with funding.

Ben Lomand and Bledsoe Telephone can answer detailed questions concerning specific addresses that will be served with these grants.

Thank you for being part of the solution and thank you for the opportunity to serve as your County Mayor.  If you are interested in hearing my thoughts and views on news, events, and activities in Cumberland County, please subscribe to my newsletter, and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.