Lexington, Kentucky – Today, U.S. Representative Andy Barr (KY-06) and U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will award Scott County, Kentucky $3.1 million to expand the county’s broadband infrastructure. These funds come as part of the NTIA’s Broadband Infrastructure Program. Scott County will use the grant to construct last-mile fiber to reach unserved households, community anchor institutions, and businesses.
Representative Barr and Senator McConnell voted in support of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 which appropriated the federal funding for NTIA to run this grant program. Today’s award is expected to finance a 406-mile expansion of broadband infrastructure that will reach all rural areas in Scott County, including 5,351 currently unserved households.
“Enhancing broadband access for constituents is one of my top issues in Congress, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic when so many Kentuckians were working and learning remotely. This includes voting for appropriations for the NTIA, which provides the grant funding for this award. I will continue fighting for more resources to expand broadband to more Kentuckians,” said Representative Barr.
“In an increasingly tech-centered world, reliable broadband has never been more important for our development, connecting Kentuckians to jobs, communications, and vital emergency services. Unfortunately, too many rural communities in the Commonwealth still lack access to this core infrastructure service,” said Senator McConnell. “I am always happy to work alongside Kentucky’s local leaders to secure funding to expand broadband infrastructure and was proud to play a role in helping County Judge-Executive Joe Pat Covington and Scott County earn today’s grant. I look forward to watching county officials deploy these funds effectively to reach every single household currently unserved by broadband.”
“This is a great day for Scott County. I feel like we have hit a Grand Slam for our community. I am proud of the vision of the Fiscal Court and its commitment to our broadband project. Fiber to the home broadband connectivity will assure that our entire community has the ability to take advantage of online education, home-based business, and tele-health opportunities. Broadband will help with the continued growth of economic opportunities for all our citizens. We are very thankful to Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson and the entire team for considering our community’s application and recognizing the impact of the award in extending fiber to the home connectivity to approximately 5,351 unserved homes in rural Scott Count. The Fiscal Court is appreciative of the efforts of Leader Mitch McConnell and Congressman Andy Barr for advocating for our citizens and our future,” said Scott County Judge-Executive Joe Pat Covington.
"Expanding our network to connect communities that lack access to high-speed internet continues to be a top priority for Charter and we look forward to the opportunity to partner with and invest in the people and future of Scott County,” said Jason Keller, Vice President, Government Affairs and Regulatory Strategy, Charter Communications.