4-County Electric Power Association has provided its first family with broadband internet access, according to a 4-County press release.
On Friday, Mary Shannon and her family became the first customers of FASTnet, 4-County’s new subsidiary company, when technicians connected the Shannons’ Clay County home with a high-speed broadband signal.
“We’re very excited about being the first customers and getting the high speed internet,” Shannon said in the release. “We haven’t had good internet service for a long time, and we’re really excited about getting it.”
The Friday event — which also saw a brief ceremony and refreshments at the Shannons’ home — is the beginning of 4-County’s plan to connect homes throughout rural parts of Clay, Noxubee and Choctaw counties. 4-County members previously voted to amend the cooperative’s Certification of Incorporation so the co-op could provide members with internet access in addition to electric power.
The project is funded through a grant from Mississippi Electric Cooperatives Broadband COVID-19 Grant Program, established by the state Legislature in July, which is giving $65 million to cooperatives throughout the state to start connecting members to broadband, the release says. Each cooperative can use up to $6 million, and 4-County is matching the grant with $7 million of its own funds to begin connecting homes.
“This is a monumental day for 4-County and its members,” 4-County CEO Brian Clark said in the release. “We’re really happy for the Shannon family and for all those members we plan to connect in the months and years ahead. 4-County is entering a new area of service. But, like always, we’re prepared to deliver.”
Officials stressed in the press release that, because of the specifications of the grant, not all members will be able to get broadband through FASTnet initially.
Members with questions can contact 4-County officials at 800-431-1544 or via email at [email protected].
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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