Tennessee CARES for Broadband

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, set aside $2.2 trillion to offset the economic fallout in the U.S. from the COVID-19 pandemic.

About $2.36 billion was allocated to Tennessee through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) to help ensure local needs are being met. More than $67 million of that was earmarked for broadband.

TNBA Executive Director Levoy Knowles said TNBA members received more than $19 million from the fund, which was used for a number of projects including broadband expansion.

“We are really thankful to Gov. Bill Lee for designating a portion of that funding for broadband,” he said. “Not every state did that, so we are thankful that Gov. Lee understands the importance of broadband.”

Gov. Lee has announced an additional $115 million for local governments to support COVID-19 response plus $150 million in available grant funds for COVID-19 recovery efforts.

“The CARES Act has given our state critical relief to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and begin to reopen Tennessee’s economy,” Gov. Lee said. “We must ensure that these funds are spent wisely and effectively”

For more information about the CARES Act in Tennessee, visit tncaresact.tn.gov.