Meridiam, an international sustainable infrastructure investor, commenced a groundbreaking $230 million fiber broadband initiative in Alabama’s Black Belt, promising high-speed connectivity for over 53,000 homes and businesses. This venture is part of Meridiam’s broader $2.7 billion investment in digital infrastructure aimed at connecting 1.3 million households, especially in underserved rural areas.
Strategic Investment for Community Empowerment
Meridiam’s project, executed by Yellowhammer Networks, focuses on deploying a vast fiber-optic network across more than 300 miles without imposing financial burdens on local governments or taxpayers. As the initial Internet Service Provider (ISP), Omnipoint will offer affordable, high-quality broadband services to educational institutions, businesses, and residential areas in Selma, Demopolis, and surrounding counties. This initiative is crucial for empowering communities with essential digital tools for education, healthcare, and economic development.
Combatting the Digital Divide
Nicolas Rubio, CEO for the Americas at Meridiam, emphasized the firm’s commitment to eliminating the digital divide by ensuring high-speed internet access across socioeconomic levels. Mayor James Perkins of Selma highlighted the importance of broadband as fundamental infrastructure, equating its necessity to utilities like gas and water. This project underscores a significant step towards inclusive digital participation, fostering opportunities for all residents irrespective of their income levels.
Meridiam’s Global Commitment to Sustainable Infrastructure
With a portfolio spanning over 120 projects globally, Meridiam remains devoted to advancing sustainable and resilient infrastructure that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This includes investments in sustainable mobility, critical public services, and low-carbon solutions. Meridiam’s fiber project in Alabama not only aims to bridge the digital divide but also to stimulate economic growth and community development in historically underserved regions.
This initiative reflects a growing trend of infrastructure investments focused on digital equity, as seen in Mississippi’s legislative efforts to expand broadband access in rural areas. By providing critical infrastructure, companies like Meridiam and Yellowhammer Networks are laying the groundwork for a more connected and equitable future.
