CLAY COUNTY-State Senator Ken Yager recently announced that the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) is awarding millions of dollars to expand broadband in five counties throughout Senate District 12.

The county here has been awarded a Broadband Ready Communities (BRC) grant of $100,000 to help serve parts of Clay County.

The BRC grants are being distributed to local governments and these funds will support community-based digital skills training and deliver the technology necessary to equip communities with digital adoption resources.

In total, Clay, Roane, Morgan, Scott, and Pickett are benefitting from $19,657,315.81 in grants to connect more citizens with broadband internet services. 

“I am happy to announce that TNECD is significantly investing in broadband expansion in the 12th Senatorial District,” Yager said.  “I am pleased that five counties in my district are benefiting from almost $20 million in grants.

“I want to recognize all the local governments and people that worked so diligently to secure these funds.  Broadband is vital to Tennesseans and this funding will help ensure more Tennesseans have access.”

TNECD recently provided its second round of grants to promote broadband opportunity and high-paying digital jobs.  The programs during this funding opportunity include:  Last Mile, Digital Skills, Employment and Workforce Development (DSEW), Connected Community Facilities (CCF), and Broadband Ready Communities (BRC).

Across all four programs, grantees are contributing approximately $25.1 million in matching funds, with project completion slated for December 31, 2026.