Broadband providers can apply for grants through Kentucky’s Office of Broadband Development to fund pole replacements in underserved areas. The state defines an unserved area as one that does not have a minimum of 25 megabits per second downstream and 3 megabits per second upstream.
The legislature allocated $20 million of Kentucky’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the grants. Broadband providers can receive up to $5,000 for each replaced pole, not to exceed 50% of the total cost.
Utility pole replacement projects must be part of the construction, development, or improvement of a broadband project that will provide a minimum speed of 100 megabits per second downstream and 100 megabits per second upstream. Additionally, the expense must have been incurred on or after July 1, 2022.
The office will accept applications until funds have been exhausted.
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