News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
UCDD will work with communities to apply for Broadband Ready grants up to $100,000.
Deputy Director Tommy Lee said most residents in the Upper Cumberland have fiber communications in their home but the grant pays for access through community equipment.
“A couple of things that are available under this grant is that communities can purchase computers and allow their citizens to come in and have doctor appointments, do tele-health, do remote work,” Lee said.
Lee said counties have to pass a resolution to be broadband ready in order to qualify for the program. He said most counties have passed the resolution and UCDD is working with the remainder to complete this step.
Lee said the grant application window open in August and reviews take place September through November with awards announced in December.
“Half of the grant can go to community broadband in the downtown area,” Lee said. “You could have free wi-fi walking around the downtown square.”
Lee said folks that may have not had access to online education could benefit from the grant. He said having internet service does not mean you have the latest equipment to use that service.
“They would be able to go to the county administrative building to a community room, for example, and access tele-health, remote work, or online eduction,” Lee said.
