Background

The Alabama Fiber Project (the “Asset”) consists of a high-speed fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network in western Alabama aiming to pass approximately 52,000 premises (c. 85% residential and 15% businesses).
The Asset aims to improve broadband connectivity needs in highly underserved and/or unserved areas in Selma and the surrounding region, including in rural communities (6,500 premises) for which it has qualified for a $26 million public grant through the federal Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) program.
Meridiam was approached in 2022 by the Post Road Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations, to develop the Asset and serve as lead investor.

Stage:

Under Development

ESG/SDG Key facts:

The Asset is designed to provide high-speed, reliable internet access to a historically underserved and/or unserved region, regardless of income level. Like Meridiam’s other fiber projects, the Asset aims to bridge the digital divide by providing low-income families equal access to internet-based essential services, such as work-from-home opportunities, online education, and telehealth. The Asset aims to contribute to the following SDGs:
• Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
• Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive economic growth and full, productive employment.
• Goal 9: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
• Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, resilient and sustainable.
• Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

Image source Demopolis_Alabama_with_river_confluence.jpg (1500×1000) (wikimedia.org)