Relief is on the way to rural parts of Walker County that have long lacked access to high speed broadband internet.
Rep. Tim Wadsworth announced on Tuesday that the State of Alabama has awarded $4.95 million to Charter Communications, also known as Spectrum, from the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund to build broadband infrastructure in the communities of Nauvoo and Oakman.
“All Alabama communities, families and businesses need access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet in today’s world,” said Steve Miller, Chairman of the Walker County Commission, in a press release from Charter. “I’m thrilled that the state and Spectrum are partnering to expand broadband to unserved parts of the county that will ultimately bring even more opportunities for these communities to thrive.”
The project will bring gigabit broadband services to a combined 2,097 households and businesses in the two areas. In addition to the $4.95 million from the State of Alabama, Charter has committed to investing $6.6 million, bringing the total to $11.61 million for the Walker County project.
According to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), only 72% of the state has access to highspeed broadband, defined by the FCC as supporting 25 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload.
Cody Pasley, a Saragossa resident, hopes the project brings internet access to his home, saying that internet access is no longer a luxury in a connected world.
“The importance internet access has to education is the main thing,” he said. “The pandemic showed us just how imperative it is to have internet at home for school-aged children. The ability to allow someone to better them selves and the ripple effect it has on their family and future generations.”
Pasley said being connected is so intertwined in modern society that it is as necessary as any other utility.
“From being able to order groceries for someone who can’t otherwise get to a market to online suicide prevention, the internet has become a necessary tool,” he said. “But, more than that, it’s the world at your fingertips. It’s a connecting thing, finding people across the world”
Spectrum, serves internet, television and VOIP telephone service to residents across Walker County, but for some, the best available option has been satellite internet.
“The state legislature has worked tirelessly to allocate funding for broadband to areas across Alabama that need it most,” said Sen. Pro Tem Greg Reed. “Walker County communities will soon have high-speed Spectrum internet access to better work and learn and access 21st-century opportunities from home.”
Updated Aug. 8, 2022 9:46 p.m. – Story updated with quotes and information from Charter Communications’ press release, quotes from Pasley.
