FloridaCommerce<\/a><\/strong> has engaged in efforts to increase broadband availability to businesses, homes, farms and community institutions in unserved and underserved locales in Florida via the BEAD program.<\/p>\n Previous grants have already been provided to several small and rural communities in Florida. The latest grants are aimed toward internet service providers with Federal Communications Commission<\/strong><\/a> provider licenses in the state.<\/p>\n FloridaCommerce officials are urging joint partnerships between broadband providers and businesses and community organizations. Applications for the funding can be made on the FloridaCommerce website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n The state\u2019s effort to expand broadband service to rural areas has been an ongoing project.<\/p>\n In June, Spectrum added more broadband customers in Marion County<\/a><\/strong>. The company expanded through a broader internet infrastructure building project costing about $7 billion in rural areas throughout its footprint across America. Some of that money came from the Federal Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF<\/a><\/strong>). Some 35,000 customers in rural Marion County were added to the company\u2019s service.<\/p>\n U.S. Rep.\u00a0Kat Cammack<\/strong>, a Gainesville Republican, celebrated the internet reach into Marion County and said the upgraded \u2014 and in some cases, new \u2014 service for Florida\u2019s rural customers is a relief for many who never had access before.<\/p>\n \u201cAll Floridians deserve access to reliable, high-speed internet, regardless of where they live. In partnership with providers like Spectrum, we are working to ensure that rural communities across our state get access to the digital tools they need to thrive,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/FPL_Image_StormPrep_Eng_Display_728x90.jpg\")
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