Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Broadband topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Suwannee Valley's Rapid Fiber service now available countywide in Columbia County
Summary
Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative's subsidiary Rapid Fiber told county commissioners the company has completed initial construction in Columbia County and can serve roughly 1,700 residential members there; the company said it serves more than 4,000 members across four counties and plans further expansion.
Caitlin Barrington, a representative of Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative and Rapid Fiber, told the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners on March 6 that Rapid Fiber has completed its initial build in Columbia County and can now deliver service to members across the county. "We have our first county fully lit up and all of our Suwannee Valley members in Columbia County can now receive Rapid Fiber internet," Barrington said.
Barrington said the build followed four main steps: design and engineering, make-ready construction on poles owned by Suwannee Valley, the fiber construction itself and fiber splicing to connect at substations. She said the project included proactive pole replacements to ensure reliable service. "We currently have approximately 1,700 residential members in Columbia County served as of today, which adds to in all 4 of our counties we're currently serving over 4,000 members," Barrington said.
The presentation described Rapid Fiber as a local, for-profit subsidiary of the cooperative focused on serving members first while pursuing commercial growth and economic-development goals. Ashley Robinson, Rapid Fiber's marketing and communications coordinator, joined Barrington at the podium and was identified as leading external communications referenced in the presentation.
Commissioners asked about geographic expansion and cooperation with neighboring utilities. Commissioner Phillips asked whether Rapid Fiber could extend service into areas served by Clay Electric. Barrington said the company's immediate focus is serving Suwannee Valley members but that expansion is possible: "As we grow, we're absolutely looking to serve and provide the service to more if we're able." She also said Rapid Fiber maintains a working relationship with Clay Electric and offered to open lines of communication to coordinate builds.
A commissioner asked about per-mile construction costs; Barrington said she did not have a per-mile figure available during the meeting but offered to follow up with specific pricing.
No formal action was taken during the presentation. Commissioners thanked Rapid Fiber for the update and said staff would include the company in future broadband coordination meetings.
Ending: County staff said they will invite Rapid Fiber to future broadband discussions and follow up on specific cost and expansion questions raised during the presentation.
