Any political subdivision in Georgia pursuing improved broadband access is eligible for the Broadband Ready Community Certification. A unit may be certified as a Broadband Ready Community by:
- Completing the online application form
- Demonstrating compliance with the adoption of a Comprehensive Plan inclusive of the promotion of the deployment broadband services, and
- Demonstrating compliance with the adoption of a Broadband Model Ordinance.
Application
Apply here for Broadband Ready Community Designation
*For the purpose of applying for a Broadband Ready Designation, a Public Subdivision is defined as a City or County.
*If Designated, a Georgia Certified Broadband Ready Community has an affirmative duty to notify Georgia Department of Community Affairs of any changes to the information submitted as part of its application. Failure to notify the Georgia Department of Community Affairs of any changes may result in revocation of the Community’s Broadband Ready Designation.
Broadband Model Ordinance
The Department of Community Affairs has created a model ordinance to assist communities in satisfying the minimum requirements under O.C.G.A. §50-40-41.
*If the Georgia Department of Community Affairs receives an application inclusive of an adopted Ordinance that does not follow the Model Ordinance provided by DCA, the application will be made available for a public comment period of at least 30 days after such an application is received. O.C.G.A. §50-40-40
Designated Broadband Ready Communities
The following local units of government have met the necessary requirements to be certified as Broadband Ready Communities.
- Baldwin County
- Banks County
- Bartow County
- Burke County
- Carroll County
- Chattooga County
- City of Bellville
- City of Byron
- City of Claxton
- City of Ellaville
- City of Fitzgerald
- City of Fort Valley
- City of Hagan
- City of Hiawassee
- City of Milledgeville
- City of Ocilla
- City of Summerville
- City of Woodbury
- Colquitt County
- Dade County
- Dawson County
- Elbert County
- Emanuel County
- Evans County
- Fannin County
- Haralson County
- Harris County
- Jefferson County
- Lee County
- Lumpkin County
- Madison County
- Marion County
- McDuffie County
- Oglethorpe County
- Paulding County
- Peach County
- Schley County
- Turner County
- Warren County
- White County
Please view this story map as we highlight Broadband Ready Communities' Success Stories!
Click Here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/40175048235c46e0b05bc1e629432efa
COLUMBIA COUNTY: AN ORDINANCE FOR BROADBAND READY COMMUNITY Columbia County Model Ordinance Description: In accordance with O.C.G.A. §50-40-40, if the Georgia Department of Community Affairs receives a Broadband Ready Community Application inclusive of an adopted Ordinance that differs from the Model Ordinance provided by DCA, the application will be made available for a public comment period of at least 30 days after such an application is received. Written comments on the Ordinance submitted by Columbia County may be submitted to Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative (GBDI) via email at broadband@dca.ga.gov or mailed to the following address by 12:00 p.m. EST on January 3, 2022. Georgia Department of Community Affairs Attention: Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329