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Tennessee Secures $813 Million to Expand High-Speed Broadband Statewide

Issue #187

22 Aug

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🌤 Columbia Weather - Partly cloudy with a high of 87

📰 Tennessee Secures $813 Million to Expand High-Speed Broadband Statewide

📰 Tennessee's Free Hunting Day Set for Saturday as Squirrel Season Begins

📌 Tonight: Bingo Night at Dr. Christa S. Martin Community Center

🥩 Saturday: Tripp’s ACE Grilling Up for Labor Day!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

📣 We Want To Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, August 22nd

Friday, August 23rd

Saturday, August 24th

Monday, August 26th

Tuesday, August 27th

Tennessee Secures $813 Million to Expand High-Speed Broadband Statewide

Computer Networking Equipment

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) announced the approval of Tennessee’s initial proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The state has been allocated $813 million in funding, which will be used to extend high-speed broadband internet to all remaining unserved and underserved residential and business locations in Tennessee by 2028. This approval by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) marks the beginning of the funding deployment process.

High-speed internet is now considered an essential service for Tennesseans, and the state plans to use this funding to make strategic investments in broadband infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. These efforts are aimed at expanding opportunities in education and the workplace.

Since the start of Governor Bill Lee’s administration, TNECD has invested over $715 million in state and federal broadband funding to close the digital divide in Tennessee. Prior to 2021, more than 20% of the state lacked access to high-speed internet; today, that number has decreased to less than 5%, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

TNECD submitted its initial proposal for the BEAD Program in December 2023. Before submission, the department held listening sessions with internet service providers and community stakeholders across the state to incorporate industry and stakeholder feedback into the proposal. The department expects to open the grant round for BEAD funding in November, pending the approval of its challenge process results by the NTIA. Eligible applicants for the grant are those authorized to provide retail broadband services in Tennessee.

To ensure transparency, TNECD has made a Notice of Intent Form and the list of eligible locations available on its website until October 9, 2024. Submitting the form is a requirement for participation in the BEAD-funded grant program and helps the state verify NTIA’s gating criteria for applicants. Additionally, program eligibility maps with designated grant boundaries will be available on TNECD’s broadband website in late August.

Following the BEAD-funded grant round, TNECD is required to submit all proposed awards to the NTIA for approval as part of a final proposal. Once approved, TNECD will begin distributing the grant funds to the selected recipients.

For more information about Tennessee’s broadband initiatives or to apply for the programs, please visit TNECD's website.

Tennessee's Free Hunting Day Set for Saturday as Squirrel Season Begins

Tennessee residents can enjoy a license-free hunting day on Saturday, August 24, coinciding with the opening of squirrel season. This annual event, hosted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), aims to foster interest in hunting, particularly the long-standing tradition of squirrel hunting. The day provides a chance for seasoned hunters to introduce friends and family to the sport and encourages those who haven’t hunted in a while to reconnect with the outdoors.

In addition to squirrel hunting, the archery-only deer hunt for antlered deer on private lands and selected wildlife management areas (WMAs) runs from August 23-25. It's important to note that due to changes in regulations, firearms and muzzleloaders are no longer permitted during this August deer hunting season.

On Free Hunting Day, Tennessee residents are exempt from hunting license and WMA permit requirements. Numerous WMAs are available for public access on August 24, but hunters are advised to consult the 2024-25 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide for specific regulations. Hunters must also obtain permission before hunting on private property they do not own.

While licenses are not required on this day, the TWRA reminds hunters that hunter education requirements remain in effect. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1969, must have completed a hunter education course. An apprentice license is available for those who have not yet completed the course, allowing them to hunt without the education certification for one year. This license can be renewed for up to three consecutive years. Children under 10 are exempt from the Hunter Education certificate but must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.

Squirrel hunting season allows hunters to harvest up to 10 squirrels daily from the opening day until March 15, 2025. Hunting hours start half an hour before sunrise and end half an hour after sunset.

For more details on hunting regulations in Tennessee, visit the TWRA website or contact a regional TWRA office.

Tonight: Bingo Night at Dr. Christa S. Martin Community Center

Join us for an evening of fun and excitement at our Bingo Night! Happening tonight at 871 Iron Bridge Road from 5 PM to 7 PM, this event promises lively games and great company. Plus, don’t miss your chance to win a fabulous summer-themed door prize! Bring your friends, your lucky charm, and get ready for a memorable night. See you there!

Saturday: Tripp’s ACE Grilling Up for Labor Day!

Come see us at Tripp’s ACE for our “Grilling Up for Labor Day” grilling event! We will be serving up some DELICIOUS food, hot off our Traeger Grill and Big Green Egg! There will be special deals in the store - seasonings, rubs, and sauces will all be on sale! Get ready for the most delicious Labor Day ever! Don’t forget we assemble and deliver grills for FREE (over $399).

*Editor’s Note: We’ve been to a Tripp’s in-store event and you better believe the food will be great!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, August 22nd

Todd Ciprian, Tito's Spring Hill, 6-9 PM
Josey Clay, Puckett's, 6-7:30 PM
The Alderson Jazz Collective, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, August 23rd

Nick Bentley, Meat Social, 6-8 PM
Kiana Renae, Grinder's Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
November Blue, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
The Howlin Embers, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Zone Status, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, August 24th

422 West, Hampshire Hills Distillery, 2-6 PM
Steven Cade, Keg Springs Winery, 2-5 PM
Grasskickers, Amber Falls Winery, 3-7 PM
Johnny Jameson & the Empty Pints, The Tilted Mule, 7 PM
Music on the Porch, 600 North Main Street, 7-9 PM
Tim Turner Band, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Cole Ritter, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
MFT, The Rebel, 7:30 PM
South Bound Crows, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, August 25th

Jim Fox Trio, Amber Falls Winery, 1-5 PM
Jeffrey Joslin, Puckett's, 6-7:30 PM
1 & Dun, The Rebel, 4 PM
The Reveal Acoustic, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 5-8 PM
Bridges and Backroads Concert, The Old Mill Barn, 7-9 PM

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