A company that provides broadband and telecommunications services has been awarded a $1.5 million grant to expand high-speed internet access in Trumbull County.

The funding will enable the Charlotte, North Carolina-based Brightspeed to connect nearly 2,400 additional locations to its fiber internet network, according to a press release. This award brings Brightspeed's total grant funding in Ohio to $13.8 million, allowing for the expansion of its network to more than 8,300 locations across the state.

"We already offer Brightspeed Fiber Internet to more than 190,000 families and businesses in Ohio and we continue to bring our state-of-the-art fiber network to more locations every day," said Tom Simone, Brightspeed state and local government affairs director in Ohio.

The funding comes from the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant program, which is supported by the American Rescue Plan Act, the Broadband Expansion Authority, and BroadbandOhio.

 President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law four years ago to help Americans recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

Brightspeed said it is investing billions of dollars to build a next-generation fiber-optic internet network, aiming to reach more than 4 million Americans who lack quality high-speed connectivity. In Ohio, the company plans to reach more than 380,000 families and businesses.

Julie Green, director of the Trumbull County Planning Commission, said that residents who have traditionally been unserved or underserved will be able to receive a broadband connection directly to their front door.

Brightspeed said it is pursuing additional state and federal funding, including funds from the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program, to further expand its network.

Brightspeed provides broadband and telecommunications services in 20 states.