North Fulton Today

Gov. Brian P. Kemp promised to expand broadband coverage to make high-speed internet available across Georgia.

Kemp said that he has heard from many Georgia citizens about the challenges they face when trying to access reliable high-speed internet and State officials have worked together to provide broadband to over 44 counties, the Office of the Governor reported.

"We are delivering on our promise to expand rural broadband in every corner of our state. In the past five months, we have announced 6 new EMC partnerships that will expand access to high-speed internet to over 178,000 Georgians," Kemp said in a Tweet.

To strengthen businesses across the state and encourage economic growth, the governor's budget proposal includes $40 million for a new Rural Innovation Fund that will be used to provide resources for start-ups, existing businesses and job creators in rural communities statewide, Kemp said in an op-ed.

"I am proud of the record number of new projects announced in rural Georgia, significant increases in jobs and investment, and new partnerships that will ensure we work together to bring prosperity to every region of the Peach State. But we cannot take our foot off the gas – there is still more work to be done," Kemp said in the op-ed.

In the coming months, Kemp promises to utilize his office and will be exploring every opportunity to use federal coronavirus relief funds to get broadband internet to every zip code in the state, the Governor's Office said.