TNECD Announces $162.7 Million in Broadband and Digital Opportunity Grants

Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter recently announced $162.7 million in broadband and digital opportunity grants. These grants will bring fiber broadband access and other digital opportunities to more than 236,000 people across 92 counties throughout the state.

“Broadband is essential to all Tennesseans, and that’s why we are making strategic investments in our state’s broadband infrastructure and digital opportunity programs to create a pathway to education, job training, and greater opportunity statewide,” reads a press release from Gov. Bill Lee. “I thank the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group for their continued support and management of these broadband dollars.”

To date, TNECD has invested over $715 million to bring fiber broadband to underserved and unserved Tennesseans, connecting more than 689,000 individuals.

“More than $715 million has been invested to expand broadband under Gov. Lee’s administration, and we are excited to announce additional funding today that will ensure Tennesseans have access to and benefit from high-speed internet, which opens the door to high-quality job training,” McWhorter said.

TNECD’s investment of $97.2 million brings fiber broadband access to more than 58,200 Tennesseans across 23,000 locations in 37 counties.

Additionally, TNECD debuted new programs during this funding opportunity including Digital Skills, Employment and Workforce Development, Connected Community Facilities, Broadband Ready Communities, and Tennessee College of Applied Technology Broadband Workforce grants.

Grantees across all programs are investing approximately $48 million in matching funds and will complete their projects by December 31, 2026.

Below is a list of TNBA members for the latest round of broadband funding:

• Ben Lomand Communications: $14,683,374 — Serving parts of Franklin and Moore counties
• Loretto Telecom: $1,580,796 — Serving parts of Lawrence County
• Twin Lakes: $1,055,316.50 — Serving parts of Putnam County
• United Communications: $1,780,226.31 — Serving parts of Rutherford and Williamson counties
• United Communications: $3,150,106.56 — Serving parts of Franklin, Moore, and Bedford counties
• United Communications: $3,058,513.28 — Serving parts of Bedford, Rutherford and Marshall counties
• WK&T: $6,610,468 — Serving parts of Henry and Weakley counties