DeSantis awards $144 million for broadband expansion

Published Feb. 2, 2023, 11:28 a.m. ET | Updated Feb. 2, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis announces broadband connection grants for 41 Florida counties, Milton, Fla., Feb. 2, 2023.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces broadband connection grants for 41 Florida counties, Milton, Fla., Feb. 2, 2023.

MILTON, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $144 million for broadband expansion in 41 Florida counties at a press conference at the Imogene Theater.

The governor said $2.3 million will be used to provide fiber access to 791 unserved locations throughout Santa Rosa County – both individuals and businesses.

“One of the aspects of infrastructure that we’ve embraced, is the need to make sure, and it’s not actually just rural, it’s largely that, but there’s very populated counties that also have gaps, is making sure we’re expanding access for broadband to make sure that all communities have access to high speed internet. It’s important for the way our society functions,” he said.

He said the 58 different projects will benefit many unserved homes and businesses all throughout the state of Florida, including rural or unincorporated areas.

As a father of three young kids, DeSantis cautioned that they don’t want children mired on the internet. He advised that children should keep their phones put away during class.

“Being buried in that thing, all during the day, I don’t think is healthy. And I think it’s going to be a continued battle with young people,” he warned.

“We need the infrastructure, it’s important for business […] but we also want to make sure there’s a good balance between whats going on online/a computer versus what’s going on in the real world, and getting out and actually experiencing life,” DeSantis said.

“It is an incredible honor for Charter to partnering with Santa Rosa County to receive the first infrastructure investment to make sure that we’re connecting kids – not to TikTok – but to opportunities to extend the learning day,” Marva Johnson, Charter Communications, said.

DeSantis also mentioned the upcoming tax relief and proposed budget heading into the next session, which totals $114.8 billion.

The governor said he plans to ask for $30 million dollars for rural infrastructure in this year’s budget.

DeSantis also poked at President Joe Biden after being asked a question in regards to the budget.

“These state reps and senators, they do stuff in the budget […] You know, I have no money, except what they appropriate. So, they appropriate… Unless you’re Biden, he just does what he wants and doesn’t follow the Constitution,” said DeSantis.

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