AT&T announced yesterday that it has completed its $4.4 million public-private project to expand broadband access in Boonville, and more than 4,000 new customer locations now have access to fiber-powered broadband to help close the digital divide.
This public-private collaboration is an example of AT&T’s work with local governments looking to expand broadband access. City of Boonville officials used federal funds made available by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2020 to bring fiber broadband to the area. Under the agreement signed in July 2022, Boonville contributed nearly $1 million in public funds to the project and AT&T covered the remaining $3.4 million.
Free refurbished laptops are also being distributed in Boonville as part of AT&T’s nationwide commitment to help bridge the digital divide. AT&T is working with local nonprofit Boonville Now to provide the laptops and other digital literacy resources to students and families in the Warrick County School Corporation. The laptops, funded by an AT&T donation to Compudopt, are being distributed to pre-selected area residents to help them fully participate in our digital world. AT&T and Compudopt have distributed nearly 120 laptops to Boonville area residents since last summer.
The laptop distribution is part of the AT&T Connected Learning® initiative, AT&T’s companywide commitment to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. In Boonville, it’s estimated that more than 1,100 K-12 students1 don’t have access to the internet, computers or skills needed at home to benefit from the online world, an issue known as the digital divide.
Boonville Mayor Charlie Wyatt
It’s hard to believe this day is already here. AT&T committed to completing this high-speed broadband project across the city on time and on budget, and that’s just what they did. And because they’ve been such a great collaborator, more than 4,000 homes, farms and business will now have the connectivity they need to be successful.
AT&T Indiana President Bill Soards
We’re so appreciative that the City trusted us with this transformative project. Indiana communities both small and large deserve this kind of fiber connectivity. We’re excited to continue to work with Hoosier cities, towns and counties to make that happen.
Boonville Now Executive Director Jim Miller
This is the second time in less than a year that AT&T has jumped in to help our community with connected devices. Thanks to their generosity, more of our local residents will now be better able to do their jobs, communicate with their health care providers or do their homework. It’s such a wonderful gift.
