Closing the Broadband Availability Gap and Support the Development of a Five-Year Action Plan

Description

Purpose: The Purpose of This Grant Is to Support Closing the Broadband Availability Gap and Support the Development of a Five-Year Action Plan.the Proposed Project Includes the Following Planning and Pre-Deployment Activities: Research and Data Collection, Including Initial Identification of Unserved Locations and Underserved Locations Consistent with Rules, Regulations, and Processes Commission Has Established for Making Determinations in Broadband Data Maps; Establishing, Operating, or Increasing Capacity of a Broadband Office That Oversees Broadband Programs and Broadband Deployment in an Eligible Entity; and Asset Mapping Across the Eligible Entity to Catalogue Broadband Adoption, Affordability, Equity, Access and Deployment Activities Occurring Within the Eligible Entity.expected Outcomes: Amongst Other Efforts to Improve the Economic Conditions of Kentuckians, Governor Beshear Has Included the Deployment of Broadband to All Unserved Areas of Kentucky, Stating "...Every Home and Business in Our State Should Have Access to Affordable, Adequate, and Reliable Internet to Participate Fully in Our Economy, Schools, and Society...." These Goals Are Also Represent the Overarching Goals of Kentucky's Proposed Project, "Better Internet for Kentucky." Specific Outcomes Include a Comprehensive Five-Year Action Plan Identifying Kentucky's Broadband Access, Affordability, Equity, and Adoption Needs and Serving as a Benchmark for Adopting Strategies, Goals, and Initial Measures for Connecting All Kentucky Residents with Reliable Broadband Service; Ensuring Coordination with, Substantial Interaction with, Formal and Direction Communication with, and Collaboration with Kentucky's State Digital Equity Plan; More Precise Assessment of Barriers to Adoption; Greater Capacity to Plan and Administer the Bead and Digital Equity Grant Programs; and an Asset Inventory That Informs the Gaps of Access Affordability and Adoption.intended Beneficiaries: The Intended Beneficiaries Are Unserved and Underserved Groups in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with a Focus on Rural and Unserved Populations.subrecipient Activities: The Recipient Does Not Intend to Subaward Funds.