Fiber Committee gives update on broadband in Weakley County
Story by Press Reporter Shannon Taylor
The fiber committee met to give an update on where they are standing so far and on the different phases of the fiber project for the county.
WK&T has completed phase 1 of the fiber project which brought fiber to areas of Martin. Commissioner David Bell said, “Three or four years ago we had a complete county commission vote to enter into an agreement with WK&T nonprofit to find solutions up to ten and a half million dollars for broadband for Weakley County in rural areas.” Bell said that first, the county found grants.
After phase one, the American Recovery Act (ART), which awarded 6.3 million dollars for the county to spend for broadband of Federal funds. All of that money has been received and Commissioner Roger Donaldson wanted to point out that all of that money came from COVID funds and that this project wont cost the taxpayers any money. However, all of the ART funds must be spent by 2026 according to Bynum.
In Phase 1, the agreement was to pay after everything was completed. So far the county has paid part of the project of $500,000.00, but they still owe 1.5 million dollars, but Weakley County Mayor Jake Bynum said they needed to look at making a new agreement, which representatives with WK&T were in agreement with. They said they would reach out to their law firm and get things set in motion and then reach out to the county’s attorney, Allison Whitledge.
Phase 2 of the project, in Palmersville, has not yet been completed. The Jewel Store Road area has been completed and has turned 150 customers, but the rest of the Palmersville area has construction completed, splicing testing is going on and parts of that area should be ready within the next week or so, but the rest should be completed within 30 days.
WK&T had gone out on their own and received a grant for the Pillowville area through USDA. This project was 70 miles and over 400 customers and representatives stated it’s going well and that they are waiting on equipment, but that the project could possibly be completed by the first of the year.
Phase 3 of the project, would be covered under the new grant received, will cover 358 miles of the county and 2250 homes in the county. Engineering has begun on this part of the project, but they are waiting on the final paperwork from the state.
For people wanting to know if they are included in the coverage area, WK&T representatives said that they wouldn’t get clearance until the end of November so it would be closer to the first of the year before they know for sure who all would be covered under the maps. WK&T suggested that people call them so they can be put on the list.
In other news, Bell was elected as chairman, Bynum was elected as Vice Chairman and Lauren Rush was elected as secretary. The fiber committee is a voluntary committee to help serve the fiber needs of all of Weakley County.
