Governor Kay Ivey Champions Broadband: Governor Kay Ivey highlighted the significance of high-speed internet during her broadband tour stop at Atmore Community Hospital in Escambia County. Emphasizing the role of broadband in accessing telehealth services, Governor Ivey discussed the ongoing progress of broadband projects in Escambia and Baldwin counties, as well as statewide.
Broadband availability is not just for our convenience it is a lifeline, particularly evident in telehealth services. For thousands of Alabamians in rural areas, telehealth bridges the gap to medical facilities, and without broadband, this vital resource remains out of reach for many, said Governor Ivey.
Joined by Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Director Kenneth Boswell, Sen. Greg Albritton, and Rep. Alan Baker, the event highlighted over $17 million in grant and matching funds for broadband projects. These funds aim to connect more than 3,600 currently unserved addresses in Escambia and Baldwin counties, adding over 140 miles of new fiber.
The Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund (ABAF), funded by the Alabama Legislature, was discussed as a crucial driver of targeted projects for high-speed internet access. Managed by ADECA, ABAF supports initiatives connecting households, businesses, and community anchor institutions to broadband infrastructure.
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When you look at the digital world we live in today, access to broadband infrastructure is just as important, in many ways, as having access to electricity or running water, noted Sen. Albritton. The ongoing efforts have seen Alabama invest approximately $82 million in state dollars since 2018, supporting over 100 projects through ABAF. Once completed, these projects will provide broadband service to more than 72,000 Alabama households, businesses, and community institutions that currently lack options to subscribe.
Director Boswell acknowledged the collaborative effort involving Governor Ivey, the Alabama Legislature, internet service providers, and others, working towards the state’s broadband goals. The commitment to expanding high-speed internet access is a collective effort aimed at ensuring Alabama residents and communities thrive in the digital age.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Who was the longest serving governor in the history of Alabama?
George Wallace holds the record as the longest-serving governor, with an impressive tenure of 16 years spanning four terms.
Is governor Ivey married?
Twice married and divorced, Ivey has no children. She first tied the knot with Ben LaRavia while they were both at Auburn University. Ivey is a part of First Baptist Church in Montgomery and in 2019, she received a diagnosis of lung cancer.
How many terms can Alabama governor serve?
Alabama’s top leadership is made up of the governor, lieutenant governor, and executive agencies (referred to as departments in Alabama). The governor can hold office for two back-to-back four-year terms without any term limits, as long as they don’t serve more than two terms in a row.
Who was first governor of Alabama?
Born in Virginia on October 2, 1781, WILLIAM WYATT BIBB became Alabama’s inaugural governor. After earning his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1801, he practiced medicine in Georgia. Bibb’s political career began in 1803.