The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, ADECA, hosted the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority’s quarterly meeting in Montgomery last Wednesday at the Statehouse.
The meeting featured progress updates from 20 internet service providers that received grants from the Capital Projects Fund and Alabama Anchor Institution/Middle-Mile programs funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
During the meeting, ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell emphasized that while Alabama is making good progress and working with internet service providers to complete these projects, the deadline is fast approaching.
The projects funded by those grants, totaling more than $400 million, must be completed by the end of this year.
“These are not just ADECA’s deadlines, they are federal requirements. Alabama risks losing funds if we do not complete these projects on time, and broadband providers risk not getting reimbursed for their work,” Boswell said.
Broadband projects funded under both state and federal programs must meet “substantial completion” requirements by the federal deadline of Dec. 31, 2026.
Boswell urged ISPs to actively manage their projects and keep ADECA informed to ensure they meet milestones and complete projects in a timely manner. He stressed that if a project fails to meet those benchmarks, it could result in lost funding or even clawbacks of previously distributed dollars.
“We must stay ahead of schedule and streamline efforts to get this done,” Boswell said. “The sooner these projects are complete, the sooner Alabamians get the high-speed internet they deserve.”
The Capital Projects Fund and Alabama Anchor Institution/Middle-Mile programs are part of Alabama’s broader effort to close the digital divide and ensure reliable, affordable broadband access in all communities across the state.
