FCC offering internet discount to eligible Kentuckians The $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides a temporary discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households. (Source: Madeline Cuddihy) By Jessica Ladd | May 12, 2021 at 3:42 PM CDT - Updated May 12 at 3:42 PM
KENTUCKY (KFVS) - Gov. Andy Beshear is encouraging eligible Kentuckians to apply for a newly available discount through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help temporarily reduce their cost of home internet services.
The $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides a temporary discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households.
The benefit also provides discounts up to $100 per household toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop or tablet, if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward its purchase from a participating broadband provider.
The U.S. Department of Commerce is giving six Western Slope counties a boost in their efforts to develop better broadband access.
The departmentâs Economic Development Administration has approved an $880,640 grant to the Region 10 League for Economic Assistance and Planning from last yearâs COVID-19 relief bill, known as the CARES Act.
The money is to be used to help the six counties Region 10 serves â Delta, Montrose, Ouray, Gunnison, Hinsdale and San Miguel counties â to improve access to affordable, reliable and abundant internet service.
The money is to be matched with a local commitment of $220,160 in the effort, which is expected to create 100 jobs, retain 100 existing jobs and generate about $2.5 million in private investments.
Governor Andy Beshear, earlier this week, signed four bills related to American Rescue Plan Act funds.
House Bill 320 and House Bill 382 will provide $300 million to the Broadband Deployment Fund to address unserved and underserved communities. Governor Beshear said at a minimum $600 million will go toward broadband expansion, with the investment expected to create an estimated 10,000 direct and indirect jobs across the Commonwealth.
House Bill 382 will also fund a range of vital initiatives, including full-day Kindergarten and the reopening of a medical examiner’s office in northern Kentucky. The bill also directs $575 million of the American Rescue Plan funds to repay a federal unemployment insurance loan.
Credit Tmthetom, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Kentucky House of Representatives passed a bill with bipartisan support Wednesday that would allocate $250 million from the state’s general fund for building broadband internet throughout underserved communities. The legislation would expand on a bill signed into law last year that established a broadband-focused grant fund.
Bill sponsor GOP Rep. Brandon Reed said Tuesday in front of the House Appropriations and Revenue committee this proposal would move forward efforts to construct the “last mile” of broadband, referring to directly connecting residences and businesses to the internet.
“With the pandemic, it has shed light on our problems with broadband. I think we can all agree with that,” Reed said. “[The bill] will clear the way for rural electric cooperatives to feasibly provide broadband service to underserved households and businesses.”