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Speakers praise statewide broadband funding that will reach thousands in Union County
Summary
Commenters said a statewide broadband program administering “over a billion dollars, close to about a billion and a half dollars” will bring fiber to an estimated 6,500 residents and 2,400 businesses in Union County; remarks tied the expansion to economic and educational opportunity.
Speakers at a local meeting said a statewide broadband program, administering “over a billion dollars, close to about a billion and a half dollars,” will extend fiber service to more than 6,500 residents and about 2,400 businesses in Union County.
The announcement drew enthusiastic remarks about the impact of broadband on education, careers and local businesses. Speaker 1, a commenter, said the program is “life changing,” adding that broadband would provide a tool for “students and parents and families so that they can further, whether it's a career or business or certainly, you know, an education.”
Speaker 2, a commenter, emphasized the economic case: “In today's digital age, access to broadband internet is not just a luxury, folks. It's a necessity now. It truly is. In terms of economic development, broadband opens up a world of opportunities for our rural businesses right here in the county.”
A separate commenter identified in the transcript as Speaker 3 referenced a local utility, saying KB — created 85 years ago — was founded to bring electricity and water to its service area and that fiber is now a comparable essential service. “Fiber is that very same thing. You gotta have it to function,” the speaker said.
The counts and dollar amounts were stated by meeting speakers during remarks and include hedging language in the transcript: the statewide funding figure was described as “over a billion dollars, close to about a billion and a half dollars,” and the local reach was described as “bring broadband to over 6,500 residents and I think 2,400 businesses, just in this in this county.” The meeting record does not show a formal vote or an ordinance tied to the remarks.
The discussion was presented under an Economic and Community Development topic and framed by speakers as advancing digital equity, economic opportunity and education access. No formal board action, motion or adoption was recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.
