McDuffie County has been selected to receive more than $3.5 million to help improve access to fast  and reliable broadband internet for local residents and businesses. 

The $3.8 million award was announced by Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp on Tuesday as part of  more than $407 million in awards to 49 projects in 70 counties. In total, the American Rescue Plan Act  (ARPA) grant projects represent an investment of more than $738 million in Georgia when matching  funds are contributed.  

McDuffie County, along with the McDuffie County Board of Education, the City of Thomson and  Town of Dearing, will use the $3,817,531 award to help improve infrastructure related to high-speed  internet access across the county. 

“The impact this money will have on our community is far more than the nearly $4 million announced  this week,” said McDuffie County Commission Chairman Charlie Newton. “It is part of a much larger  plan we have been working on for several years to make McDuffie a true broadband community.” 

The award will be part of more than $10 million in local, private, state and federal funds earmarked  to extend access to broadband internet to more than 95 percent of the households and businesses  in the county. Officials have been working on the broadband initiative for more than four years,  including formally partnering with provider Comcast last year. As part of the partnership, Comcast is  investing more than $2.6 million in the project. 

Officials said residents should see the initial results of the McDuffie County project within a year, as  infrastructure is constructed. Within three years, they plan to achieve the goal of 95 percent coverage. 

“We have been very strategic in our approach to broadband, both in terms of planning the network  and our funding sources,” said Mr. Newton. “We want to make sure our residents are as connected as  possible without over-burdening them with the entire cost.” 

A study by The Brookings Institution showed significant economic and social benefits, ranging from  improved access to specialized healthcare and increased educational opportunities to improved  property values and job growth. 

Tuesday’s awards were made possible using federal coronavirus relief funds from the American  Rescue Plan. Recipients had to apply for funding through the Georgia Jobs and Infrastructure  Committees, which reviewed the applications and made a series of recommendations to Gov. Kemp. 

Gov. Kemp said committee members relied on the Georgia Broadband Availability Map to help target  communities in need of improved access, as well as those who may be able to tap into federal funds  to help speed up implementation timelines. In addition, he said the awards carry an extra significance  for his office. 

“I ran on a promise to bring opportunity to rural Georgians,” he said in the press release. “If you look  at the map of Georgians who will now have access to rural broadband, you will see a promise kept.” 

MEDIA AVAILABILITY ON THURSDAY, FEB. 3 

• McDuffie County Commission Chairman Charlie Newtown 
• Available for phone and in-person interviews 
• Contact information:  
• p: 706-597-7300 
• e: [email protected] 
• McDuffie County Manager David Crawley 
• Available for phone and in-person interviews 
• Contact information:  
• p: 706-597-7300 
• e: [email protected]