Date: 11-29-2017
Osborne says project has also started in Lawrence County
Kentucky Press News Service
FRANKFORT – The Kentucky Communications Network Authority installed a “hut” next to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 12 office in Pikeville on Nov. 21. The hut is part of KentuckyWired’s high-speed fiber optic cable network being installed in every county throughout the state.
Lawrence Co. Judge/Executive John Osborne said last week in the November fiscal court meeting that KyWired workers are in his county, too. “I don’t know exactly what they’re doing but they have started,” Osborne said.
Lawrence was supposed to have been the second county hooked on to KyWired at its inception being the closest to Boyd heading south.
Pike County state Sen. Ray Jones II said, “There are countless numbers of opportunities that come with access to broadband. This network will help our economically distressed region attract businesses which means jobs and investment in our community.”
The huts, installed throughout Kentucky, will be the connection point for all state government offices, universities, community colleges, libraries, and internet service providers for the entire Pike county area.
“Faster and more reliable broadband internet service is absolutely critical as we look for ways to improve government services and increase opportunities for our schools and businesses,” said state Rep. Angie Hatton of Whitesburg. “I want to thank the Kentucky Communications Network Authority for taking this step and moving the overall KentuckyWired project forward. Once it is complete, we will be in a much better position to connect to and compete with the rest of the world.”
The hut is 15 feet wide, 22 feet long, and 9 feet high and was placed at 109 Loraine Street just outside the KYTC office, along with a generator. (See photo above)
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KentuckyWired will enhance the speed and efficiency of state government agencies and bring an economic boost to the Commonwealth as its middle mile network becomes available to the private sector, encouraging companies to build in Kentucky. It will also enhance healthcare, education, cellular phone service, and enrich the lives of all citizens of Kentucky. The first portion of the KentuckyWired network is expected to be functional in 2018.
