Gov. Brian Kemp focusing budget proposals on rural Georgia economy
Dave Williams
ATLANTA When it comes to economic development, rural Georgia is punching above its weight.
More than half of the 16,000 jobs created in Georgia during the first half of this fiscal year and more than half of $6 billion in new investment have gone to communities outside metro Atlanta.
But more needs to be done, Gov. Brian Kemp declared Jan. 14 in his annual State of the State address. That’s why Kemp’s new budget proposals are putting a major focus on rural Georgia, with nearly $40 million earmarked to establish a Rural Innovation Fund and $30 million to continue building high-speed broadband connectivity in rural areas.
The money from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, combined with other federal and state efforts, will expand broadband internet access to 5,441 local areas.
For The Inter-Mountain
CHARLESTON – Letters sent last Friday from state broadband officials and lawmakers urged the West Virginia Public Service Commission to scrutinize a proposed deal to approve Frontier Communication’s bankruptcy reorganization in anticipation of a Jan. 19 meeting.
Instead, the PSC issued two orders the same day they received the letters, accepting Frontier’s reorganization plan which included promises to make capital improvements and expand broadband internet across the state. In exchange, Frontier must meet monthly and quarterly reporting requirements and could face financial penalties if it falls behind in its promises.
“The PSC’s approval is another step toward Frontier’s emergence from Chapter 11 restructuring,” said Allison Ellis, senior vice president of regulatory affairs for Frontier, in a statement Wednesday.
sadams@newsandsentinel.com
West Virginia on Friday became the 12th state to accept the bankruptcy reorganization plan from Frontier Communications. (Photo by Steven Allen Adams)
CHARLESTON Letters sent last Friday from state broadband officials and lawmakers urged the West Virginia Public Service Commission to scrutinize a proposed deal to approve Frontier Communication’s bankruptcy reorganization in anticipation of a Jan. 19 meeting.
Instead, the PSC issued two orders the same day they received the letters, accepting Frontier’s reorganization plan which included promises to make capital improvements and expand broadband internet across the state. In exchange, Frontier must meet monthly and quarterly reporting requirements and could face financial penalties if it falls behind in its promises.
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