A public-private partnership between fiber internet provider Kinetic and an electric cooperative will result in over 70 percent of Georgia’s Colquitt County being “fiber-ready” by 2024, according to a recent announcement from the company, which is operated by Windstream.

Kinetic’s announcement, released Nov. 21, said communities that will benefit from the expansion include Moultrie, Berlin, Doerun, Funston, and Norman Park.

Michael Foor, the operations president for Kinetic Georgia, thanked electric cooperative Colquitt Electric Membership Corp. for entering a partnership to help expand Kinetic’s fiber optic broadband network.

“Colquitt EMC has been an instrumental part in the delivery of fiber in its service area,” Foor said. “We are grateful for its willingness to support these efforts.”

A breakdown of the investment covering the network expansion, which totals $32.5 million, was provided by Kinetic in the company’s announcement.

“The company will use about $21.4 million in state grant money from the federal government,” the company’s Nov. 21 announcement stated. “The money comes from the U.S. Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program, part of the federal American Rescue Plan COVID-19 stimulus package.”

Kinetic also announced they will invest $11.1 million and cover any cost overruns on the project.

With the new construction, Kinetic said they will expect to add 7,400 customers.

According to Kinetic’s announcement, 40 percent of Colquitt County, representing more than 9,700 homes and businesses, are already eligible for Kinetic’s fiber broadband.

The company’s announcement said Kinetic has already laid more than 180 miles of fiber cable in Colquitt County area communities, and the company plans to lay more than 440 miles in the upcoming expansion.

According to Kinetic, the project will provide residents and businesses “next-generation access” that offers speeds of up to eight gigabits per second.

“We believe this transformation will open up new opportunities, including enhancing people’s qualities of life and driving economic growth,” Foor said.