Alabama broadband award targets 3,395 Monroe County locations, including Uriah service area

Alabama’s final approval of its federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment proposal could expand high-speed internet access across Monroe County, including the Uriah service area, but residents do not yet have confirmation that their individual addresses are included.

The state announced the approval on March 23, 2026. The proposal includes $23.95 million for Monroe County, with a stated goal of providing high-speed internet service to 3,395 locations.

The announcement was part of a broader $460 million Alabama BEAD award to expand access to high-speed internet. The state’s release identifies the Monroe County allocation and location total, but it does not provide a list of Uriah addresses, provider territories, project maps, construction start dates or completion deadlines.

What the announcement means for Uriah

Uriah is listed by the Alabama Secretary of State among the communities in Monroe County. That makes the countywide broadband allocation relevant to the community, but the available evidence does not establish that every Uriah household, farm, business or other location qualifies for service.

The potential impact could extend to households, students, farms and businesses in rural Monroe County if the final project list includes locations in or serving Uriah. For now, however, the announcement supports a county connection rather than a confirmed direct household benefit inside Uriah itself.

State records also identify local community infrastructure and institutions, including Uriah Water System Inc. among Monroe County water systems and J.U. Blacksher School at 15933 Highway 21 South, Uriah, Alabama 36480. Those records confirm the exact local setting, but they do not show that the water system, school or a specific nearby address is included in the broadband award.

Address-level details are still needed

The next important step is publication or confirmation of the final locations and project details. Until that information is available, it is not possible to say which Uriah residents will receive service, which provider may serve them, whether construction will occur inside the community or when broadband will become available.

The approval is therefore a significant countywide funding development, not proof that construction has started or that service has been awarded to Uriah households. Residents and local businesses will need address-level confirmation before relying on the program for a particular property.