FRANKFORT, Ky. — A new $5.8 million federal grant will support the expansion of high-speed internet throughout Kentucky, federal officials announced this week.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) both announced the grant funding in separate press releases on Thursday. It’s part of the “Internet For All” grant program stemming from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

“High-speed internet is crucial for future job creation, education opportunities, health accessibility and economic endeavors,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said yesterday in announcing the award to Kentucky. “I commend Gov. Beshear and his team for their efforts to expand high-speed internet access.”

The over $5 million Kentucky is receiving will fund:

• Identification of unserved and underserved areas
• Increasing capacity of Kentucky’s broadband office
• Asset mapping to identify gaps in access, affordability and adoption
• Collaboration with Kentucky’s state digital equity plan
• Local engagement with communities to better understand barriers to broadband adoption

McConnell helped secure the funds headed to the Commonwealth through his crucial support for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Our economy is increasingly driven by access to the internet and rural America is no different. For too many rural Kentuckians, though, broadband access is expensive or, for many, unavailable,” McConnell said in a press release. “Today’s grant announcement is the first step to bringing affordable, reliable digital access to every corner of our state.”

The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program will provide $42.4 billion to U.S. states and territories to expand high-speed internet access by funding broadband planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.