Broadband Internet Coming To Rural Areas Of Hillsborough, Pasco County

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced a second round of awards through the Broadband Opportunity Program to expand broadband internet access in Florida’s underserved communities, including communities in Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

More than $22 million was awarded to eight projects to expand broadband in eight Florida counties, impacting more than 33,200 unserved residential, educational, business and community locations. These awards are in addition to $144 million the governor awarded in February, bringing Florida’s total investment to $166 million for the expansion of broadband Internet in Florida’s rural communities.

“Investing in reliable internet infrastructure strengthens local economies and opens up new opportunities for students, businesses and families,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am happy to award this $22 million to support Florida’s small and rural communities, and I look forward to making more awards in the future that expand internet access to all Floridians.”

In February, DeSantis announced the first awards through the Broadband Opportunity Program. With these awards, DeSantis has awarded more than $166 million across 47 counties through the Broadband Opportunity Program to expand broadband Internet, impacting more than 193,000 homes and businesses across the state.

Related: $4.7M Presented To Polk County To Expand Broadband Internet Services

“Gov. DeSantis is unwavering in his commitment to keeping the state’s economy strong and developing its workforce,” said Department of Economic Opportunity Acting Secretary Meredith Ivey. “Through programs like the Broadband Opportunity Program, Florida is helping unserved local communities expand broadband internet access, making it easier for their residents and business community to connect, collaborate and learn.”

Administered by the DEO, the Broadband Opportunity Program funds the installation and deployment of broadband internet infrastructure in unserved Florida communities, providing access to telehealth, economic, educational and workforce development opportunities.

Among the areas that will receive internet through the Broadband Opportunity Program are:

• City of Plant City; unincorporated Balm, Keysville, Lithia and Wimauma ($906,000) — to add 122.8 miles of fiber optic cable to the existing network to provide 1,792 unserved locations within Hillsborough County with symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1GB
• City of San Antonio, Land O Lakes and Shady Hills, and unincorporated Pasco County ($2,003,815) — to add 171.1 miles of fiber optic cable to their existing network to provide 1,545 unserved locations within Pasco County with symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1GB.
• City of Dade City, Crystal Springs, Dade City North, Lacoochee, Richland, Zephyrhills North, Zephyrhills South, and unincorporated Pasco County ($578,531) — to add 171.4 miles of fiber optic cable to their existing network to provide 911 unserved locations within Pasco County with symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1GB.