A collaborative study by several county entities may finally pay off.
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Sept. 4 that a $344,447 broadband grant had been awarded to Bryson City-based SkyWave, Inc. The company also services Graham County.
Only five counties in the state received the GREAT grant and local officials applauded state Rep. Kevin Corbin (R-Franklin) and other legislators for their help with pushing for the aid.
“The board of commissioners has long supported expansion of broadband in our county,” Graham County Commission Chairman Dale Wiggins said. “Our schools having to deal with the impacts of COVID-19 highlights how serious the need for dependable internet service has become. We’re grateful for the support of the N.C. Legislature and especially the foresight of people like Kevin Corbin.
“We have consistently said that the state and federal governments have to take the lead in broadband expansion in rural areas, and our representatives at the state level have heard us and supported us. We want the entire county served and these grants are the beginning of a ‘GREAT’ first step.” The first GREAT grant was awarded to Zito Media in the amount of $414,862. Both will be matched by $408,860 in private investments, bringing the total to $1,168,169.
GREAT has worked with the Graham County Board of Commissioners, Graham County Schools, Graham County Economic Development and the Southwestern Commission to map, survey and document areas of the county where Internet access is lacking.
Thanks to the grants, both Zito Media and SkyWave will be able to offer service to 525 more Graham County households by the fall of 2022, with speeds reaching 25 download/3 upload.
Most homes today can only receive 10 download/1 upload.
Graham County Schools has consistently reminded parents and students alike to fill out surveys, which would only help to bolster the need for reliable Internet access.
“Graham County Schools is most appreciative of the interagency collaboration responsible to see these grants become available,” Superintendent Angie Knight said. “A special thank you to all of our parents, students and staff for completing multiple surveys to gauge our needs in the community. Working together, Graham County can do amazing things.”
The local GREAT – Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team – has worked over the course of the study to obtain additional funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission. The grants supplemented “Middle Mile Infrastructure,” a crucial broadband-fiber component needed to offer service.
“The Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team is so pleased to be celebrating – along with the many others who have worked tirelessly – to see high-speed internet access made available to the citizens of Graham County,” Executive Director Michelle Shiplet said. “It is so good to see a plan come together, and it just goes to show what we can accomplish when we are willing to work together as a team, setting aside any differences for the betterment of the community we all love.”
Much of the technical information relayed to Zito Media and SkyWave can be attributed to the Southwestern Commission.
“These projects are the result of close to five years of planning by Graham County and the Southwestern Commission, and we are excited about what it means for the citizens of Graham County,” Southwestern Commission representative Russ Harris said.
Installation is set to begin next year. Once the project is completed, the improved service will be available to residents of the Goldmine, Lake Santeetlah, Meadow Branch, Robbinsville, Sawyers Creek, Topton, West Buffalo and Yellow Creek communities.