Town of Esto to benefit from $4-million broadband access grant
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Esto, FL – February 2, 2024 – The Town of Esto is set to benefit from a major broadband access grant awarded by Governor Ron DeSantis. Today, in Bowling Green, FL, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a significant allocation of funds, totaling nearly $223 million, to expand broadband internet access across Florida, with a particular focus on small and rural communities.
These grants to Florida companies fund the installation and deployment of broadband internet infrastructure in unserved Florida communities. Administered by FloridaCommerce, the Broadband Opportunity Program aims to bridge the digital divide and unlock crucial access to telehealth services, economic opportunities, educational resources, and workforce development programs.
Today’s announced awards includes $135 million in state funding supporting 54 projects in 33 counties to extend broadband internet access to over 27,000 unserved residential, educational, agricultural, business, and community locations.
Among the recipients of this investment is a grant focused on the Town of Esto, which awarded $4,992,784 to install 60.1 miles of fiber optic cable. This infrastructure enhancement will provide symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1 GB to 338 previously unserved and underserved locations within Holmes County, marking a significant step towards equitable access to high-speed internet in the region.
In addition to the grant focused on the Town of Esto, several other Broadband Opportunity Program awards have been allocated for projects within Holmes County:
- Unincorporated Areas of Holmes County ($2,094,011) — Adding 23 miles of fiber optic cable to provide 84 unserved locations with symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1 GB.
- Unincorporated Areas of Holmes County ($977,446) — Providing 7.8 miles of fiber optic cable to serve 41 premises with symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1 GB.
- Unincorporated Areas of Holmes County ($3,640,621.22) — Adding 41 miles of fiber optic cable to provide 260 unserved and underserved locations with symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1 GB.
- Unincorporated Areas of Holmes County ($1,609,056) — Providing 15.85 miles of fiber optic cable to 27 premises with symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1 GB.
- Unincorporated area of Holmes County ($4,921,132.38) — Adding 48 miles of fiber optic cable to provide 306 unserved and underserved locations with symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1 GB.
- Unincorporated Area of Holmes County ($1,664,580.89) — Installing 11.3 miles of fiber optic cable to serve 43 unserved and underserved locations with a minimum download and upload speeds of 1 GB symmetrical.
The Town of Esto eagerly anticipates the transformative impact of this substantial investment and looks forward to leveraging this infrastructure enhancement to foster economic development, enhance educational opportunities, and improve overall quality of life for our residents.