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Windstream outlines $23 million fiber build to reach about 4,800 locations in Alachua County
Summary
Windstream told the county commission it will invest nearly $23 million and construct over 400 miles of buried fiber in Alachua County, aiming to reach roughly 4,800 locations and host digital-literacy workshops as part of a public–private partnership tied to the county's broadband initiative.
Windstream representatives told the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners on May 13 that the company plans a large-scale fiber deployment in the county and wants to partner with local officials on digital-literacy outreach.
Rex Reed, introduced in the meeting as the company's vice president of network strategy, said Windstream is "excited to collaborate with the county to construct over 400 miles of buried fiber, reaching over 4,800 locations across the county" and described a nearly $23,000,000 investment in fiber network assets. Reed said network planning and engineering work is already underway and that the company expects to start construction "in the coming months." He told the commission Windstream intends the network to be built and operated by a local resource and emphasized customer education and the company's plan to host quarterly digital-literacy workshops across the county.
The presentation came before the commission voted to approve the regular and consent agendas. County staff did not present contractual details, subsidy requests, or a timeline beyond Reed's comments that construction planning is underway and work could begin in the coming months.
Why it matters: Broadband connectors and fiber backbone projects are frequently funded by a mix of private capital, federal or state grants, and county-level partnership agreements. Reed framed Windstream's plan as contributing both infrastructure and educational programs to help lower barriers to adoption as new fiber is built.
What was not decided today: The commission did not vote on any contract with Windstream during this meeting and no formal agreement or incentive terms were presented. Staff follow-up would be needed to publish the company's proposed coverage map, pricing or affordability commitments, proposed public contributions if any, and a firm construction schedule.
Next steps: County staff will be the point of contact to evaluate any proposed formal partnership, verify the deployment map, and bring any required purchase or agreement documents back to the commission if the county is asked to provide funding, incentives, easements, or other formal support.
