FloridaCommerce today announced more than $86 million in broadband grants is available to help communities create public locations for Floridians to access digital workforce, education and healthcare opportunities through the Multi-Purpose Community Facility Projects Program. Eligible sub-recipients include school districts, state colleges, state universities, county governments, municipalities, identifiable census-designated communities, non-profits, or private entities, such as Internet Service Providers.
Today’s announcement is in addition to more than $226 million in Broadband Opportunity Grant Funding already awarded to 53 counties to expand broadband Internet access to unserved areas across the state, connecting more than 250,000 homes and businesses. Additional funding will be available this year through new broadband grant programs and Florida’s existing programs to help Florida’s small and rural communities become more connected.
Funding through the Multi-Purpose Community Facility Projects Program is designed to expand broadband access, prioritizing unserved and underserved Florida communities and communities with Internet service speeds below symmetrical download and upload speeds of 100Mbps. Subrecipients will be required to partner with their CareerSource Florida Local Workforce Development Board , providing convenient locations for Floridians to apply for jobs, take continuing education classes, or receive training in digital skills, resume writing, how to interview for a position and other skills.
Eligible entities are encouraged to apply by October 3, 2023 at FloridaJobs.org/Broadband. FloridaCommerce will host Technical Assistance Webinars on July 25, 2023, at 10 a.m., Eastern Time, and on August 16, 2023, at 2 p.m. to provide technical assistance and an overview of the application process.
