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With ‘woefully’ imprecise data, Georgia eyes broadband expansion

In this Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011, file photo, State Sen. Steve Gooch, left, walks down the steps of the State Capitol with state Sen. Jack Murphy in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
In this Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011, file photo, State Sen. Steve Gooch, left, walks down the steps of the State Capitol with state Sen. Jack Murphy in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman) In this Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011, file photo, State Sen. Steve Gooch, left, walks down the steps of the State Capitol with state Sen. Jack Murphy in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

By Tyler Jett 3 min read

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ATLANTA – As lawmakers try to push fast internet into Georgia’s smallest communities, some state officials wish they had more specific information about what areas are most in need.

In the past week, three rural broadband expansion bills have passed the state Senate or House. Two of them would offer grants to providers who will deliver infrastructure to at-need areas.

But what qualifies as “at-need”? In a bill by state Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, companies could get grant money if they delivered broadband to counties where more than 40 percent of people do not have access to high-speed internet. That applies to 11 counties in southern Georgia.