Daniel Prince
Around 95% of the county will have access to high-speed internet after both phases are complete
Community Development Director Kathy Jo Lancaster told WBCU News that there is more good news on the broadband rollout in Union County. She said that Charter Communications’ American Rescue Plan Act, State Fiscal Recovery Funds Application has been funded through the South Carolina Broadband Office. With the application, Charter is targeting high priority, unserved areas in Union County. The grant will bring broadband access to an additional 1591 structures in the county, which can be residences or businesses. Lancaster said the grant represents phase 2 of broadband build-out in the county by Charter Communications.
Phase 1 is still in process and was funded with Rural Digital Opportunity funds awarded to Charter by the Federal Communications Commission. When both phases are complete, Lancaster said around 95% of Union County will have access to high-speed internet by Charter building out over 53.7 miles of fiber, representing more than 200 route miles. As of March 2022, the corners of the county had the greatest percentage of area that had no broadband coverage, including Carlisle, Cross Keys, and much of the far northern part of the county. Construction is expected to begin in August 2023, with a projected completion date of December 31, 2024. The combined investment is approximately $11.7 million, and Lancaster told WBCU News the key takeaway is the cost of this project to the county:
(audio below story)