FPB awarded more than $8 million to expand broadband access

Gov. Andy Beshear today announced that the Frankfort Plant Board has received 11 grants totaling $8,045,741 from the Kentucky Broadband Deployment Fund. FPB has developed a plan to expand access to high-speed internet to nearly 2,000 households and businesses in Franklin County who are currently unserved.  

The overall cost of the project has been estimated at $16,091,483 including the matching funds requirements. Last fall, FPB partnered with the Franklin County Fiscal Court, which pledged $3 million, while FPB has committed $5 million to the expansion. 
“At the Frankfort Plant Board, we have long discussed the critical need to provide citizens in our most outlying areas the vital link to internet access that will increase the quality of life, access to educational and employment opportunities, and a connection to the world,” said FPB Board Chair John Cubine. “This award helps to ensure FPB can provide that access no matter where you live in Franklin County. As a long-standing service provider in this community, we recognize the value of this opportunity as it will promote economic development throughout the county. And we want to thank the Franklin County Fiscal Court for our partnership to secure this funding.”  

“These funds are going to be a game-changer for our folks in Franklin County who have never had that high-speed access that is so important in our world today,” said Franklin County Judge Executive Huston Wells. “Equity in internet access across Franklin County has been something the Court has work toward for many years. We are pleased to see that through so that all our citizens have worldwide opportunities at their fingertips right where they live.” 

The award today was part of a larger presentation from Gov. Beshear who announced an historic $203 million investment in broadband expansion across the Commonwealth. This will bring high-speed internet to more than 34,000 households and businesses in 35 counties.  

“I want to thank the FPB staff for the hard work they put in on the 11 applications we submitted,” said FPB General Manager Gary Zheng. “The work paid off, and we look forward to serving more areas in our community that we haven’t been able to reach in the past. We couldn’t have accomplished this without the help of the fiscal court, and we look forward to working with them to ensure all citizens in Franklin County have access to this critical service.” 

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