Kentucky's Better Internet Program
House Bill 320 and House Bill 382, enacted by the 2021 General Assembly and House Bill 315 enacted by the 2022 General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Beshear, established Kentucky’s Broadband Deployment Fund to assist private sector entities and governmental agencies in the cost of constructing the “last mile” of high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved households and businesses across Kentucky. The fund earmarked $300 million for the construction of high-speed internet infrastructure to connect areas currently without access.
In June 2022, Gov. Beshear announced the first round of 47 broadband grants totaling more than $89.6 million that will help bring high-speed internet access to unserved locations across the commonwealth. These grants were awarded to 12 internet service providers and local governments across 36 Kentucky counties. Each of the grant recipients pledged at least 50% in matching funds to support these projects, bringing the total investment for the first round of broadband expansion awards to over $203 million.
Information
The 2022 Application provides additional detail on the grant round. Grant funds will be competitively awarded to broadband networks owned, operated or affiliated with local governments, nonprofits and cooperatives, as well as private providers. Applications were accepted until February 6, 2023, and grants will be awarded based upon the applicants’ demonstrated ability to meet the criteria outlined in the application.
Application Documents
2022 Better Internet Program Application
Address Template for Proposed Locations
Post-Award Documents
Capital Projects Fund Environmental Questionnaire
2021 Grant Implementation Guide
Program Timeline
| | |
|---|
November 21, 2022:
| Project Application Period Opens
|
February 6, 2023:
| Project Application Period Closes
|
February 7 – Feb. 12, 2023:
| Prepare for Challenge Process
|
Feb. 13 – March 3, 2023:
| Challenge Process Opens/Challenges Submitted to Office
|
| Feb 20 – March 24, 2023: | Applicant Receives Challenge Information (rolling, 15 business
days from submission) |
| Feb. 27 – March 31, 2023: | Applicant Response sent to Challenger (rolling, 15 business
days from receipt) |
February 27 – April 21, 2023
| Resolution of Challenges
|
April 21, 2023 at the latest:
| Challenge Determinations Completed and Reported
|
May 12, 2023 at the latest:
| Deadline for Resubmissions of Successfully Challenged Application
|
Spring 2023
| Application Review and Scoring
|
Summer 2023 (estimated)
| Award Projects
|
Ongoing Basis:
| Project Reporting and Monitoring
|
December 31, 2026:
| All Projects Completed and Operational
|
Affordability
This program is designed to meet the Commonwealth's goal of delivering affordable and reliable high-speed internet access to every resident and business. Applicants were required to provide proposed pricing structure by associated download and upload speeds for all broadband services to be offered in association with projects. Additionally, applicants were required to demonstrate that a low-income broadband assistance program (such as the Affordable Connectivity Program) is offered.