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

POLK COUNTY, FL — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the first set of awards through the Broadband Opportunity Grant Program to expand access to broadband internet for Florida’s underserved communities.

More than $144 million was awarded for 58 projects in 41 Florida counties for broadband internet expansion that will impact nearly 160,000 unserved residential, educational, business and community locations.

Among them, Polk County will receive $4,734,786 to lease 8 miles of fiber optic cable to provide fixed wireless services to 22,169 unserved and underserved locations in and around the cities of Lakeland, Winter Haven, Haines City and Lake Wales.

“I am proud to be in Santa Rosa County to announce the first awards through Florida’s Broadband Opportunity Program,” said DeSantis. “Broadband internet access creates jobs and enhances educational opportunities for Floridians. I look forward to continued investments through this program to ensure Florida families have access to important resources no matter where they live.”

“Broadband internet service is essential for workforce development, education and health care. Thanks to Gov. DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has taken monumental steps to bring reliable, high-speed internet to all Floridians,” said Department of Economic Opportunity Deputy Secretary Ben Melnick. “There is no doubt that the projects awarded will shape the future of broadband in Florida, and we look forward to supporting the governor’s vision for a connected economy.”

For additional information about the Office of Broadband, click here.