High speed fiber optic internet concept - ClayCoNews stock photo by Piotr Adamowicz
MANCHESTER, KY (December 17, 2021) — Faster broadband will be available to more than 8,500 Clay County residents from Kinetic by Windstream by the end of January. As part of a $2 billion, multi-year initiative to dramatically expand gigabit internet service across its 18-state footprint, Kinetic is deploying fiber to bring blazing fast internet to homes and businesses in Clay County.
Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers cuts ribbon at the ceremony
Kinetic officials were joined on Thursday by Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, State Representative Derek Lewis, U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers’ District Director Karen Kelly, The Center for Rural Development President/CEO Lonnie Lawson, Clay County Judge/Executive John Johnson, and community leaders for a ceremony at the Clay County Courthouse to celebrate the latest fiber expansion in the Commonwealth.
Sen. Stivers noted the vital importance of high-speed broadband service, especially for rural communities.
“Increasing high-speed internet access to all citizens of the Commonwealth, particularly in rural areas that are currently unserved or underserved, is a top priority of the General Assembly,” said Sen. Stivers. “We are grateful to Windstream for investing in communities like Clay County, and we’re excited to see how this ambitious initiative will improve economic development, educational attainment, and overall quality of life for the residents of Southeast Kentucky.”
Judge Johnson added that high-speed fiber internet will be a powerful asset for both current and future residents of Clay County.
“Thank you to Kinetic by Windstream for their strong partnership and commitment to deliver next-generation fiber broadband internet connectivity to the citizens of Clay County,” said Judge Johnson. “We are proud of our community’s continued progress, and this project will further enhance opportunities for our citizens and businesses and make us an even more attractive place to call home.”
Brian Harman, president of Kentucky operations for Windstream, said the fiber build highlights Kinetic’s continued commitment the Bluegrass State.
“Kinetic has a long and successful track record of delivering world-class broadband service to communities across Kentucky, and our customers know they can count on us as a trusted partner,” said Harman. “We are thrilled to team up with the Clay County Fiscal Court to deliver dependable, gig-speed internet that will significantly increase economic opportunity and enhance quality of life.”
As a result of Windstream’s multi-state network expansion, Kinetic either has or will have fiber in every county it serves in Kentucky over the next couple of years. Since 2019, the company has invested $193 million to expand broadband access in the commonwealth. Almost 92,000 locations had access to gig speeds at the end of 2020.
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