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The Center on Rural Innovation has introduced the Broadband Climate Risk Mitigation tool, which evaluates the resilience of broadband infrastructures in the face of natural hazards. The tool provides data on broadband access for each census tract and assesses the corresponding risk levels for severe weather events such as wildfires, flooding, tornadoes, and earthquakes. The data is sourced from the Federal Communications Commission’s form 477 and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s national risk index.

In addition to assessing risk levels, the tool also offers suggestions on how to prevent or minimize damage to connectivity caused by these natural calamities. It categorizes three types of broadband assets: aerial, buried, and wireless. Local leaders can leverage the tool’s granular, location-based data to design more climate-resilient networks and apply for funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.

Alabama has allocated a total of .86 million in grants for broadband projects, aiming to provide high-speed internet access to over 6,700 households, businesses, and community anchors in Blount, Cullman, Marshall, and Morgan counties. State Governor Kay Ivey expressed appreciation for the funding, stating that it would enhance education, public safety services, and business opportunities.

SparkLight, a broadband service provider, has completed a million expansion project in Gila County, Arizona. The project, part of the company’s E-rate initiative, connects schools and libraries to reliable and affordable internet services. It has deployed over 200 route miles and nearly 29,000 fiber miles, enabling 5 Gigabit symmetrical speeds for nine county schools, school districts, and eight county libraries. SparkLight secured funding from various sources, including the MHA Foundation, Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona state matching grants, and the E-Rate program.

GCI, Alaska’s telecommunications provider, has announced a .9 million investment to deliver 5G and voice over LTE services to the remote city of Unalaska. The project, projected to cost million, aims to improve wireless service in the community and is part of GCI’s Aleutian undersea fiber project. This project spans 800 miles and will bring high-speed internet to communities on the Aleutian Islands, the Alaska Peninsula, and Kodiak Island.

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