What is FRBA?
The Florida Rural Broadband Alliance (FRBA) is a limited liability company, formed in March 2010 between two non-profit economic development corporations: Florida's Heartland REDI (Regional Economic Development Initiative) in south central Florida and Opportunity Florida in northwest Florida.

What is FRBA's Goal?
To deploy a broadband infrastructure in 15 underserved counties in south central and northwest Florida that will advance economic opportunity and positively impact schools, health institutions, businesses and public safety entities through a federal grant created from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

What counties will be impacted?
Calhoun, DeSoto, Franklin, Gadsden, Glades, Gulf, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okeechobee and Washington counties, and the unincorporated area of Immokalee in Collier County, and Seminole tribal lands.

How were these counties chosen?
All of the counties to be impacted by the broadband network fall within the two Rural Areas of Critical Economic Concern (RACEC), designated by the Governor. These two RACEC areas represent nearly 20 percent of the land area in Florida and have a total population of 437,946. Only 39 percent of the population in these areas has Internet access.

What is the Middle Mile?
The Middle Mile is a broadband network that connects Last Mile Providers (Internet Service Providers like Verizon, Comcast, Time Warner) who serve residents and businesses with the rest of the world. The Middle Mile network is typically connected to multiple ?access points? along the Internet backbone routes.

How long will it take to deploy the broadband infrastructure in these counties?
It's currently anticipated that it will take 3 years to complete the project.

For business inquiries contact Crystie Carey at (850) 591-2702, or via email at ccarey@jeffgoodmanlaw.com or GReynolds@flaheartland.com or Johnene@JohneneMarcumCPA.com

To be notified of bid solicitations or to be placed on the vendor lists contact Crystie Carey at ccarey@jeffgoodmanlaw.com.

For media inquiries, please contact Sabrina Williams (863) 385-3602 or SWilliams@flaheartland.com