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A public-private partnership between has announced plans to deliver high-speed broadband for the first time to thousands of locations in rural Southeast Georgia.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Backed by a $39 million investment, Kinetic has announced plans to construct over 800 miles of fiber near the Florida-Georgia line to provide first-time access to over 16,000 locations in Lowndes County.
The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, is funded in part by $17.6 million of private capital, invested by Kinetic, a Windstream company, according to the company’s May 2 announcement.
The remaining funds, to the tune of $21.7 million, will be funded through the Georgia State Fiscal Recovery Fund and the county, supported by the American Rescue Plan Act State Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.
The partnership, between Kinetic and the Colquitt Electric Membership Corporation, held a groundbreaking this week in Valdosta, the county seat of Lowndes County, according to Kinetic’s announcement.
Michael Floor, the president of Kinetic’s operations in Georgia, described the project as Kinetic’s largest in Georgia to date.
“As a Georgian, this moment marks not just the culmination of our collective efforts, but also the beginning of a transformative journey for us and businesses across the communities of Lowndes County,” he said.
The partnership between Kinetic and Colquitt EMC has been ongoing since 2019, when Georgia’s legislature passed a law allowing the state’s electric membership corporations (EMCs) to take an active role in deploying broadband to underserved or unserved areas of Georgia.
“Soon after this bill’s passage, Colquitt EMC contacted broadband providers to determine the best method for Colquitt’s participation,” Kinetic’s release stated.
Expansion expected to open new doors in Lowndes County
For locals in Lowndes County, the project represents growth and new possibilities.
Paige Dukes, the manager of Lowndes County, said the new broadband infrastructure in the county will advance educational opportunities and enhance healthcare accessibility.
The comments were echoed by Bill Slaughter, the chairman of Lowndes County.
“This groundbreaking signifies the start of new possibilities for Lowndes County,” he said, according to Kinetic’s release. “Technology is ever evolving, and this project will bring broadband that can handle present and future demands to our community.
Kinetic, which offers fiber broadband to customers throughout 18 states, also provides dark fiber solutions to carriers and security services to U.S. government entities, according to a summary of the company’s operations.
