Gov. Brian Kemp has been focused on expanding broadband access to rural Georgia, and even named a Broadband Infrastructure Committee Tuesday that will focus on this issue. As part of his initiative, Kemp has been working with EMC’s across the state to help expand broadband access in different regions, and Tuesday, he announced that Irwin EMC’s plans to provide access to reliable, affordable, high-speed fiber broadband service for its 8,400 members across eight counties.
According to the Governor’s announcement, the cooperative has selected Conexon Connect, the internet service provider subsidiary of rural fiber-optic network design and construction management leader Conexon, to lead the project and serve EMC members with fiber broadband. Irwin EMC and Connect will launch a 1,900-mile fiber-to-the-home network in south central Georgia, providing high-speed internet access to 100 percent of the member homes and businesses it serves in Ben Hill, Berrien, Coffee, Irwin, Tift, Turner, Wilcox, and Worth counties. They are investing approximately $49 million to build the network, which is expected to be completed within 2-3 years. The first customers are anticipated to be connected in summer 2022.
“Rural broadband is a critical issue for Georgia and across the nation,” said Georgia Public Service Commissioner Jason Shaw. “Irwin EMC is a leader in their community and this partnership with Conexon Connect creates a solution to provide high-speed internet in unserved areas. This is another example of how EMCs are stepping up to serve rural Georgia and further improve the quality of life for their members.”
The fiber-optic network will offer members access to symmetrical gigabit internet capabilities – among the fastest and most robust in the nation. Additionally, it will provide reliable, clear phone service, and enable the benefits of smart grid capabilities to the electrical infrastructure, including improved power outage response times, better load balancing, more efficient electricity delivery, and more.
“Today’s announced broadband project between Irwin EMC and Conexon Connect will have a significant impact on hardworking Georgians by providing new job opportunities, improved education tools, access to telemedicine, and more,” said Governor Kemp. “I know this project will have a direct impact on the lives of south Georgians by ensuring they have access to reliable, high-speed internet.”
This is another in a list of EMC partnerships and projects that have been announced recently. Others include: Amicalola EMC, Carroll EMC, Central Georgia EMC, Colquitt EMC, Diverse Power, Middle Georgia EMC, Satilla REMC, Southern Rivers Energy, Tri-County EMC, and Washington EMC, resulting in expanded access for approximately 187,000 Georgia homes and businesses.
The Broadband Infrastructure Committee announced Tuesday is part of the Governor’s Georgia Jobs and Infrastructure Committee — which will be responsible for receiving applications and making recommendations to the Governor regarding federal coronavirus relief funds allocated to Georgia through the American Rescue Plan. State government entities, units of local government, industries, and nonprofits will be eligible to apply.
