Tennessee governor announces $61 million in emergency broadband grants

August 23, 2020 at 7:00 a.m. | Updated August 22, 2020 at 7:19 p.m.

by Associated Press

In this July 1, 2020, file photo, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee removes his mask as he begins a news conference in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee was one of the first states to begin reopening in late April after Lee reluctantly issued a safer-at-home order that forced businesses to close. Since then, case numbers have continued to rise in part due to more testing, but also because of an increase in community spread of the disease. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
In this July 1, 2020, file photo, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee removes his mask as he begins a news conference in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee was one of the first states to begin reopening in late April after Lee reluctantly issued a safer-at-home order that forced businesses to close. Since then, case numbers have continued to rise in part due to more testing, but also because of an increase in community spread of the disease. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has announced $61 million in emergency broadband grants through the state's share of federal coronavirus stimulus money.

On Friday, the Republican's office said the state Department of Economic and Community Development has selected 62 projects. The projects are limited to areas lacking equipment needed to provide broadband that can support telemedicine, distance learning and telecommuting.

The state denied another $28 million in projects due to project feasibility, applicant experience, public comments received from existing broadband providers, or other factors.

Those unfunded projects can still apply for the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Grant Program, which has $15 million this year and gives applicants significantly more time to complete projects.

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