NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Deputy Gov. and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced approval of a major statewide broadband expansion funded through the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
The initiative will deliver more than $200 million in federal funding to expand high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved communities throughout Tennessee.
When Lee first took office in 2019, more than 20 percent of Tennesseans lacked access to reliable high-speed internet, according to state officials. The newly approved projects are intended to close that gap entirely, supporting the administration’s goal of providing universal broadband access across the state by 2028.
The $202 million federal investment will fund 128 broadband infrastructure projects across 74 counties, bringing high-speed internet service to more than 43,000 locations that currently lack adequate connectivity.
Internet service providers participating in the program will contribute an additional $200 million in matching funds, bringing the total investment in Tennessee’s broadband infrastructure through the BEAD initiative to more than $402 million.
State leaders say the investment is part of a broader effort to strengthen education, workforce development and economic opportunity across Tennessee, particularly in rural communities.
“High-speed internet is essential for every Tennessean,” Lee said in a statement. “From day one, I’ve said opportunity should not be determined by zip code. This investment ensures rural Tennessee is not left behind and moves us closer to a future where every resident and business has reliable internet access.”
The BEAD Program is administered by TNECD in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The funding is intended to support broadband infrastructure projects in areas where current service does not meet federal minimum speed standards.
Deputy Gov. McWhorter said expanding broadband access is also critical for workforce development and job training opportunities.
“The projects funded through today’s announcement will ensure all Tennessee residents and businesses have access to broadband,” McWhorter said. “Access to high-speed internet is essential for education, job training and economic growth. Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Lee, Tennessee has invested nearly $1 billion in broadband infrastructure and digital literacy since 2019.”
With the addition of the BEAD funding, Tennessee’s total investment in broadband expansion and adoption programs now reaches $1 billion, helping extend high-speed internet access to more than 613,000 Tennesseans since the start of the Lee administration.
TNECD officials say the state will continue working with local governments, internet service providers and community partners to deploy the infrastructure projects.
The BEAD-funded projects are expected to be completed by December 2028. Residents can track project areas and participating providers using the state’s broadband accessibility map, which allows users to search by address or location.
