Senator Massey and Senator Briggs announce $1.3 million in funding to expand broadband in Knox County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 9, 2024

(NASHVILLE) – State Senator Becky Duncan Massey (R-Knoxville) and State Senator Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville) announced today the award of 4 major grants from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to expand broadband to unserved communities in Knox County. 

“I am pleased to help announce that Knox County has received 4 important grants to help with broadband expansion,” said Massey. “Reliable broadband is essential for our homes, schools and businesses. I thank Governor Lee and ECD for their work in distributing these grants and I look forward to seeing progress made to benefit Knoxvillians.” 

To promote broadband opportunity and high-paying digital jobs, TNECD launched four new programs during this funding opportunity: Digital Skills, Employment and Workforce Development (DSEW), Connected Community Facilities (CCF), Broadband Ready Communities (BRC) and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Broadband Workforce grants.

“Those without access to broadband are at a significant disadvantage for education, commerce, and connectivity,” said Briggs. “These grants will help meet the needs of Knox County citizens still lacking access to broadband. I am grateful to ECD and Governor Lee for their work.” 

The BRC grants are being distributed to local governments and support community-based digital skills training, public Wi-Fi projects, distribution of free or low-cost devices and marketing for low-cost internet plans. 

Broadband Ready Communities grant recipients in Senate District 6:

• Knox County - $100,000

The DSEW grants are being distributed to organizations that will offer a variety of training and education programs to advance digital skills and workforce development, creating a pipeline for well-paying digital jobs.

Digital Skills, Education and Workforce grant recipients in Senate District 6: 

• Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee - $500,000.00 - Serving parts of Knox County 

• Shora Foundation - $204,385 - Serving parts of Knox County

• University of Tennessee - $512,916 - Serving parts of Knox, Anderson, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Cocke, Cumberland, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union Counties

  Grantees across all programs are investing matching funds and will complete their projects by December 31, 2026. 

  Applications for the second round of CCF and BRC programs will open on May 15, 2024, and the DSEW program will open on June 15, 2024.

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