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BalsamWest details fiber expansions, GREAT grant to reach 263 Macon County addresses
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Summary
BalsamWest told the Macon County Board on Jan. 9 that a recent GREAT grant will fund service to 263 households and businesses in Macon County within two years and described multiple build projects with phased timelines and permit steps.
Matt Saenger, director of sales and marketing for BalsamWest, briefed the Macon County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 9 about ongoing fiber expansion projects and a federally supported GREAT grant awarded in October 2023.
Saenger said the Nantahala expansion will provide service to five county offices plus the Nantahala Library and Community Center, with Phase I construction planned to begin the week following the meeting. He described the GREAT grant project as intended to provide service to 263 households and businesses within two years, including 58 connections in the Tessentee/Middle Creek area, a few on Still House Road, 38 in Scaly, and 131 in Highlands. Pole permit applications were expected in March and construction slated to begin in August, he said.
Saenger also updated commissioners on the Georgia Road/Otto/Scaly Mountain fiber build: 277 new connections were installed or in process, 101 new connections were pending, and 218 prospective connections remained on the list.
Why it matters: the projects target unserved or underserved areas and include specific connection counts and a two‑year completion expectation tied to the GREAT grant timeline. County officials did not take an action vote on the update; the presentation was provided for information and coordination.