Chattooga County is planning a major expansion and upgrade of broadband service over the next several years, with an estimated $5 million identified for the effort in the county’s newly adopted five-year Community Work Program.

The 2026–2030 Chattooga County Community Work Program calls for continued work to update existing fiber and broadband services throughout the county.

The stated goal is twofold: increase internet speeds in areas that already have broadband service and extend coverage into areas that remain unserved.

Unlike a single construction project with a specific completion date, the broadband initiative is listed as an ongoing project in each year from 2026 through 2030.

The county estimates the total cost at $5 million, with funding expected to come from a combination of local funds and grants. Chattooga County and internet service providers are listed as the responsible parties.

Reliable high-speed internet has become increasingly important in rural communities for businesses, education, healthcare, remote work and everyday household use. Extending broadband into areas that remain underserved or unserved has also been a major focus of state and federal infrastructure programs.

Chattooga County has previously received significant outside funding for broadband expansion. Georgia’s broadband infrastructure program lists an award of approximately $3.34 million associated with Chattooga County as part of the state’s effort to provide faster and more reliable internet service in underserved areas.

The new five-year plan indicates broadband expansion will remain an economic-development priority for the county even as earlier projects are completed.

The county’s plan does not identify specific neighborhoods, roads or communities that would receive new service under the proposed $5 million effort. It also does not identify individual internet providers that would participate or establish annual spending amounts for the project.

Instead, the work program establishes the broader objective of improving speeds in currently served areas while continuing to reach locations where reliable broadband remains unavailable.

Additional details would likely depend on available grant funding, partnerships with internet service providers and identification of areas that continue to lack adequate service.

The broadband initiative is included under the Economic Development section of Chattooga County’s five-year work program, reflecting the increasing importance of high-speed internet infrastructure to attracting businesses, supporting existing employers and improving quality of life in rural communities.

Sources:

2026–2030 Chattooga County Community Work Program — Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Georgia Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget — Broadband Infrastructure Program