Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

Designee for the State of Alabama

Project Components

State Capacity Building:

This project will build on the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs’ (ADECA) current activities and enhance Alabama’s capacity to support and sustain regional broadband investment. As a result of this project, ADECA will hire three regional staff and one administrative staff person to manage and coordinate broadband activities across the state. In addition to providing regional leadership, these staff will provide support to the 12 existing regional broadband planning teams in the state as they begin implementing their strategic plans. ADECA, in partnership with a technical expert, such as one of the state research universities, will also design and provide training for the regional teams. This training will provide these teams with both the capacity and resources to continue working toward increased broadband availability and adoption in their communities. ADECA will also expand its broadband research efforts by conducting social and economic impact modeling, particularly in communities with limited broadband availability or low broadband adoption rates.

Data Collection, Integration, and Validation:

This project was originally funded for broadband planning activities and two years of data collection. In September of 2010, this project was amended to extend data collection activities for an additional three years and to identify and implement best practices.

Original Award: 
$1896323
Supplemental Funding: 
$2977819
Total Award: 
$4874142
BTOP In Action

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) worked with its regional and local stakeholders to develop and publish 12 Regional Broadband Investment Plans. The regional plans will help promote broadband investment based on the needs of each region, facilitate efforts to promote awareness and adoption, and identify sustainability strategies for broadband investments. Each region is in the process of implementing its plans that aim to advance economic development in some of the more underserved regions of the state.

Data Submissions
Reports and Documents
Award Documents
State Broadband Links