By John Brice
Correspondent
Expansion of broadband internet services in rural areas of Chambers County is being supported by a virtual online teleconference sponsored by the Alabama Community Broadband Technical Assistance Program scheduled for Wednesday, August 9th of 2023 at 12pm Central Standard Time.
According to the description on the official website for the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the Alabama Community Broadband County Profile Meeting for Chambers County will be “virtual and held on Microsoft Teams. You can join on your computer, mobileapp or room device.” This online event is in compliment to an in-person seminar that had been held by the Alabama Digital Expansion Division of ADECA at the Chambers County Farmers Federation Agricultural Center at the ALFA building in LaFayette this past May 3rd.
Further explanation on their official website states that ADECA “plans to provide technical assistance for communities seeking to expand broadband infrastructure and services in response to the critical need for internet access through its upcoming competitive program called the Alabama Community Broadband Technical Assistance Program. ADECA has partnered with CTC Technology & Energy (CTC) to execute the program.”
In a press release posted to their official website, ADECA announced “The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) today reached an important milestone as it has now hosted community broadband meetings in each of Alabama’s 67 counties. These meetings, implemented through the Alabama Community Broadband Technical Assistance Program, are designed to bring community leaders to the table and provide state-level assistance to support local efforts to expand broadband infrastructure for the benefit of the public and economic development.”
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey expressed recognition for the value created by these meetings being hosted in every county across the state and shared her gratitude for the various stakeholders involved in the program’s success.
Ivey stated “No matter where you live and what you do, being connected to the world is an absolute necessity for everyone,” Ivey continued “Without it, businesses cannot thrive, students cannot excel in their studies, and families are deprived of many services and personal enrichment opportunities. Increasing high-speed internet access has been and will continue to be a top priority of my administration. My goal has been to make sure everyone in Alabama, regardless of where they live, will have the ability to achieve high-speed connectivity by the time I leave office. These meetings, which have now been held in every Alabama county, have helped lay the groundwork for our state to get across the finish line.”