Union County has partnered with a private company to start a more-than $20 million project to bring high-speed fiber internet access to underserved parts of the county.
In a release, officials with Kinetic, the internet provider partnering with the county, said the project is expected to be completed by next year and help make around 8,300 homes, businesses and schools eligible for the service. Officials said parts of Blairsville and Suches would be targeted as well as other communities in the county that are underserved by internet providers.
The county will spend just over $11 million dollars on the project, which will come from the federal American Rescue Plan funding. Kinetic says it will provide just under $9 million.
State Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch said he is proud of the partnership to expand what he called an important service in the county.
“High-speed internet is a key part of our plan to build a better Georgia and a better Union County,” Gooch said. “It allows Georgians to stay connected with school, healthcare services and family, and is critical to the success of our state’s economy and to future job creation.”
Kinetic says its fiber-optic broadband allows users to upload and download at speeds of up to one gigabit per second. Anyone in Union County who wants to know if they will be eligible for the upgrade can find out by visiting Kinetic's website or by visiting or calling the company's connection center on Donald E. Thurmond Parkway in Cleveland. The phone number for the center is 706-865-1444.
“We appreciate the state supporting Kinetic’s partnership with the county and investing in the future of our community," Union County Development Authority Executive Director Mitch Griggs said. “Kinetic’s new fiber will strengthen our county’s economic development efforts and help us to attract jobs for the 21st century economy.”
