Regional equipment supplier Accelecom is partnering with The Center for Rural Development (CRD) for a network expansion in 16 counties in eastern Kentucky.
The project will be funded through a $30.6 million grant that CRD recently received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Appalachian Regional Commission. An Accelecom spokesperson told Telecompetitor that Accelecom will receive north of $10 million and contribute a “sizable match.”
CRD was established more than 25 years ago. The organization launched its Broadband Expansion initiative ten years ago with the vision of enabling widespread access to high-speed internet throughout Eastern Kentucky.
“With partners like Accelecom and others, The Center for Rural Development has made great strides in expanding broadband throughout southern and eastern Kentucky,” CRD President and CEO Lonnie Lawson said in a prepared statement.
“Infrastructure enhancement of this nature makes our region of the Commonwealth a more appealing place to live, work and enjoy for families and businesses. With the grant funds awarded to us by the Appalachian Regional Commission and USDA, we will be able to improve broadband access, and in some cases deliver it for the first time, to nearly a third of our eastern Kentucky counties.”
Accelecom provides fiber offerings across the Southeastern United States, serving wholesale, public sector and business customers. Among its customers are the city of Cynthiana, Kentucky and The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs.
Updated to include comment from Accelecom spokesperson
