Rural communities across Tampa Bay are getting funds to boost internet

By Street Asset On Jul 8, 2023 0 0

Several rural communities across the greater Tampa Bay region will receive nearly $29 million in funding to help boost their broadband internet access.

In a news release Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced more than $247 million will be distributed across the state as part of the Broadband Infrastructure Program.

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More than 59,000 businesses, homes, farms, and institutions including libraries and hospitals will receive the funds, which will be used lay fiber optic cable to increase internet download speeds, and to improve their broadband infrastructure.

“High-speed broadband Internet is important infrastructure for Florida communities and will generate economic development activity and a talented labor force,” DeSantis said in the release. “Florida is proud to make investments in broadband Internet infrastructure that will benefit all Floridians and make long-term impacts in communities across the state.”

Highlands County will receive the largest chunk in the Tampa Bay area, with more than $17 million, followed by DeSoto with nearly $8.6 million.

Here is a breakdown:

DeSoto County

Unincorporated areas of Arcadia/East and Pine Level – $2,550,000
Cities of Arcadia and Hull – $3,490,000
Unincorporated community of Nocatee – $2,600,000

Hardee County

City of Wauchula and unincorporated areas around Wauchula and the areas of Ona and Limestone – $323,000
City of Wauchula and unincorporated areas around Wauchula, town of Zolfo Springs and the area of Gardner – ($1,185,000) to add 163.77 miles of fiber optic

Hernando County

Unincorporated community of Spring Lake – $29,078

Highlands County

City of Sebring – $10,512,009.74
Community of Crystal Lake – ($4,700,358.31)
Cities of Avon Park and Sebring and the town of Lake Placid – $2,100,000

Sarasota County

Unincorporated town of Nokomis and unincorporated area of Englewood – $743,022
Myakka State Park – $705,088.35

The additional funds follows a May announcement that areas across the greater Tampa Bay region were among communities across the state that would receive $60 million through the program.