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.
Recertification
Apply Here if you are already a Broadband Ready Community and you are completing your annual recertification.
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
SUMTER COUNTY: AN ORDINANCE FOR BROADBAND READY COMMUNITY
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 Sumter 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 May 28, 2023.
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Attention: Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative
60 Executive Park South, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30329