An image of downtown Cullman by David Warren's Cullman Aerial Photography.

On the heels of the City of Cullman getting $200,000 to fund a massive internet infrastructure project, the former director of the state’s broadband development initiative will headline Friday’s Community Luncheon.

Broadband internet will be the focus of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce’s event, with keynote speaker Kathy Johnson offering attendees insight into the benefits of high-speed online access and how it is a key advantage in attracting economic development.

The luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at All Steak Restaurant at 323 Third Ave., S.E. in Cullman. Reservations are required to attend. Quick Tire Sales is sponsoring the event presented by Shirley Quattlebaum with State Farm Insurance.

Former Gov. Robert Bentley created the broadband development initiative with the goal of expanding internet access across the state, from large cities to rural communities.

Cullman is poised to expand its broadband coverage with a $200,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced last week by new Gov. Kay Ivey. The money, matched with $587,000 in local funds likely spread across budget years, will go toward installing 12 miles of fiber optic cable to provide high-capacity broadband internet service to downtown businesses, City Hall, the water and sewer plant, the County Courthouse, an industrial park and other “anchor” institutions in the city.

Eventually, the city hopes that service line can be expanded upon for use by local industries and eventually businesses. Officials say its the first, small step toward upgrading the city’s broadband options, and it could take another decade or two to realize its full potential.

It’s not clear which service provider would be involved in the project, though the city did approve a franchise agreement with Southern Light in 2015. The company currently serves 17 cities across the southeast, including Montgomery, New Orleans, La, Panama City, Fla., and the company acquired Server Corps data in 2012.

Cullman is also served with high speed internet service by Charter Spectrum and AT&T.

For more information about the chamber’s community luncheon, call 256-734-0454.