Comporium, Inc. announced it will bring faster broadband speeds to areas of Transylvania County with a $2.8 million grant from North Carolina’s Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) program.
According to a press, statement, the project includes the construction of 105 miles of fiber-optic cable that will provide service to over 800 customers using a partnership arrangement with Haywood Electric Membership Corporation (EMC). An anticipated start date for construction is still being determined, but once it begins, Comporium expects the construction process to take approximately two years.
“Access to broadband is more important than ever, and Comporium continues to seek ways to extend its cutting-edge services to improve life in Transylvania county,” commented Shelia Carland, director and city executive for Comporium’s Transylvania County service area. “Comporium is committed to providing a state-of-the-art network for the communities we serve, and partnerships like this one with Haywood EMC and the State of North Carolina help us ensure that fewer people fall behind because of a technology gap.”
Altogether, the improvements will require over $7 million, notes Comporium.
“Broadband is critical infrastructure for our community and it has been evident during the pandemic that we need high-speed internet access at home in order to support our education, economic development and health systems,” said Transylvania County Manager, Jaime Laughter. “We are thankful that we have Senator Chuck Edwards and Representative Jake Johnson advocating for broadband infrastructure funding at the state level. We are also grateful that Comporium staff was willing to collaborate with the county and Land of Sky Regional Council’s Sara Nichols to put forward a successful ask in this round of GREAT grant funding. These investments in our community Comporium and the State of North Carolina will move us forward in addressing broadband needs.”
Comporium, Inc., headquartered in Rock Hill, SC, is a diversified, privately held communications company that employs nearly 1,100 people and provides broadband, TV, voice, wireless, smart home systems, and advertising services throughout the Carolinas. Comporium’s ventures include companies providing business solutions, data storage and managed services, smart devices and connected home services, and digital signage. For more information, visit www.comporium.com.