Firefly reports continued fiber construction in Madison; 1,250 active locations, in‑home installs for some areas expected in early 2026

Galen, a Firefly project representative, updated the Madison County Board of Supervisors on the countywide fiber-to-the-premises project, reporting 1,250 active service locations and continued construction in portions of a 2024 grant area.

Firefly's representative said the original 2022 grant-funded construction is largely complete and being connected; subsequent work funded by a 2024 grant is currently under make‑ready and fiber build phases, especially in mountainous areas near Syria and Etlan where pole work is slower. He said some locations in the 2024 area are already being connected where service drops are adjacent to lit fiber and that additional home connections will continue as small laterals are built.

The company reported that, based on experience in other areas, a roughly 60% take rate among registered addresses is expected, which would yield about 3,000 total connections in the county. Firefly said it has no more fiber hut sites to build and that crews are now focused on splicing and service drops. As of the report, the project stood at about “halfway” on connections even though most construction phases are substantially complete.

On timing, Firefly said make‑ready and mainline passings in the northwest will likely be done before the end of the year, but in‑home installations in those circuits may not begin until the first quarter of 2026 and could continue for several months as service drops are pulled and scheduled. The company emphasized that in many places the fiber is now “permanent, future‑proof technology” once poles are replaced and fiber is spliced.

Board members asked about Route 29 crossings that had delayed connections in some circuits; Firefly said most crossings have been completed and that crews are roughly mid‑way through splicing in one large Decapolis/Locustdale circuit. Firefly also warned the board that hunting season causes a recurring problem across its service area: shot fiber (bullets striking aerial fiber) results in expensive splices and outages, and the company said it plans public education with wildlife agencies.

The company also confirmed a DHCD extension associated with the 2022 grant that applied across the multi‑county program, and said Madison’s work was generally in good shape because many make‑ready tasks had already been done by the electric utility partner.

Board members and staff did not take formal action during the update but asked follow‑up questions about scheduling and specific circuits; Firefly said customers will be contacted by the company by the phone number they provided when a home is ready to be installed.

For residents, Firefly reminded people that registration on its portal remains the way to get on the list for service and that being adjacent to lit fiber speeds scheduling.