Broadband expansion to transform connectivity in Martin, other counties

Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center for Rural Development, met with officials Monday at London Community Center in London to discuss a broadband initiative that will expand broadband access to approximately 33,000 households across 16 counties and 196 communities in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. From left are Judge-Executive J. Woods Adams III, Lincoln County; Mayor Todd DePriest of Jenkins; Judge-Executive Terry Adams, Letcher County; Judge-Executive Howell Holbrook Jr, Rockcastle County; State Rep. Tom O’Dell Smith; Cloyd Bumgardner, Pulaski County Judge/Administrative Assistant; Lonnie Lawson, President and CEO of The Center for Rural Development, Judge-Executive Harry Clark, Rowan County; Judge-Executive Mike Mitchell, Knox County; Brad Kilbey, CEO of Accelecom; State Sen. Robert Stivers; TJ Scott, Vice President of Operations, Broadlinc; Jeremy Holbrook, Boyd County Commissioner and Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. of Whitley County.

Lafferty says it is a ‘start’

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

LONDON — A $30.7 million project will expand broadband access to Martin County and 15 other counties in southern and eastern Kentucky.

Officials gathered Monday in London to announce the project, saying it will bring better, more affordable and reliable broadband access to 33,000 households across 16 counties and 196 communities.

The Center for Rural Development is the launching pad for the project, which is supported by both federal and state matching funds.

The counties included are Martin, Bath, Bell, Boyd, Carter, Garrard, Knox, Laurel, Letcher, Lincoln, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell and Whitley counties.

Key features of the expansion include establishing 33 CenterLinks Access Nodes (CANs) to extend the KY Wired statewide middle-mile infrastructure, constructing 15 wireless towers in the 16 counties (plus 40 additional towers funded externally), and developing 124 miles of fiber.

“This is the beginning of broadband infrastructure in our county,” Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty said. “Many areas of the county still don’t have that.”

As an example of Martin County’s “tremendous needs,” Lafferty pointed to the recent incident in Pilgrim, where two workers were killed when the abandoned Pontiki coal tipple collapsed. The person who called for help had to travel miles to call 911. Then, first responders could not communicate during the three-day rescue and recovery effort. 

“There was no communication in that area and no ability to call for help,” he said. “We’re probably the most rural county in the state, and the only county in the Big Sandy area included in this project.”

Lafferty said the project will develop infrastructure from which vendors can then begin building out. 

“It’s a start,” he said. “There’s a long way to go, but it is moving the ball down the field. I thank The Central for Rural Development and Congressman Hal Rogers for their role in this project. With 5G, our people can work from home for any company in the country.”

According to Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center for Rural Development, the counties chosen are underserved or unserved.

Several companies are being used to install the fiber lines. Some areas may see service in as little as three to six months, but the entire project could take a year and a half to complete.

Lawson said the need to expand broadband became apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when people shifted their work and education assignments to home.

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