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.”