NEW ALBANY, Miss. — The Union County Board of Supervisors took a significant step toward bridging the digital divide last week, formally approving the allocation of $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support a comprehensive broadband expansion project in partnership with ACE Fiber and New Albany Light, Gas and Water (NALG&W).
The investment aims to accelerate the ongoing initiative to provide high-speed internet access to all NALG&W system customers throughout Union County, addressing long-standing connectivity challenges in rural areas.
“I’m really just here to express our appreciation from New Albany Light, Gas and Water and also representatives from ACE Fiber,” said NALG&W Manager Bill Mattox during the board meeting. “The pledge y’all made with the ARPA funds is huge for the project we are working on. You know the difficulties we face kind of getting the project off the ground just to get everybody covered in Union County.”
The federal funding comes at a crucial time for the region’s digital infrastructure development. According to recent data from the Mississippi Broadband Availability Map, approximately 30% of Union County residents still lack access to high-speed internet service that meets the Federal Communications Commission’s minimum standards.
ACE Fiber CEO Sean McGrath, who also addressed the board, outlined how the funding will accelerate their deployment timeline. “This investment will allow us to extend fiber optic infrastructure to previously underserved areas of the county months ahead of schedule,” McGrath explained. “We’re looking at connecting hundreds of additional households by the end of 2025.”
The ARPA funds, part of the federal government’s COVID-19 relief package, must be obligated by December 31, 2024, and fully expended by December 31, 2026. This timeline aligns with ACE Fiber’s projected completion schedule for the county-wide broadband initiative.
Board of Supervisors President Randy Owen emphasized the transformative potential of the investment. “This is about more than just internet access,” Owen stated. “It’s about economic development, educational opportunities, and ensuring our residents can fully participate in today’s digital economy.”
The agreement stipulates that ACE Fiber will provide regular progress reports to the Board of Supervisors and must meet specific coverage and speed requirements to receive the full funding amount. The company has committed to delivering minimum internet speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload to all connected customers.
NALG&W officials indicated that residents can expect to see increased construction activity in the coming months as fiber deployment accelerates. The utility will maintain a public dashboard on its website tracking the project’s progress and allowing residents to check when service will be available in their area.
For more information about service availability and construction schedules, residents can visit the NALG&W website or contact their customer service department.
