BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Foothills Rural Telephone Cooperative is launching a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) service in Martin County, starting with downtown Inez and gradually expanding to reach the entire county in the coming years.
Foothills CEO Ruth Conley announced Thursday in Inez that the $3 million investment includes roughly 30 miles of fiber already installed.
“We have figured out how we can go ahead and start serving customers a little quicker than we had anticipated. We hope to have service within the next couple of months,” Conley remarked. “And just know, too, that Martin County residents will have the latest and greatest of everything that Foothills has to offer right out of the gate. We do plan and hope not to stop until we serve all of the county with at least 1 gig to 10 gigs of service.”
This expansion is expected to significantly boost connectivity and economic opportunities for Martin County. The initiative follows a year-and-a-half-long collaboration between Foothills and local leaders, including Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty and the Fiscal Court.
Judge Lafferty expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing its importance for community development.
“The expansion of fiber broadband in Martin County is a game-changer for our community,” Lafferty said. “Reliable high-speed internet will open doors for education, healthcare and business opportunities that our residents have long deserved.”
He added that the project is a major milestone for the county’s future.
“This fiber investment will connect our homes and businesses to ultra-high-speed internet,” he said. “It will also lay the foundation for future economic growth by making Martin County a more competitive and vibrant place to live and work.”
Foothills’ commitment to the project extends beyond its initial investment. The cooperative has purchased land in the county and plans additional infrastructure investments. To further speed the rollout, particularly in underserved rural areas, Foothills has applied for funding through the USDA’s Reconnect Program. If awarded, the funds would help close the digital divide in Eastern Kentucky, aligning with broader national efforts to bring broadband equity to rural America.
Conley emphasized that Foothills is dedicated to ensuring long-term benefits for the community.
“Our mission has always been to provide our customers with the best possible telecommunications services,” she said. “By beginning our expansion of fiber-to-the-premise in Inez and eventually throughout Martin County, we are ensuring that no one is left behind in this digital age.”
She also credited local officials for their role in moving the project forward.
“We are proud to work hand in hand with Judge Lafferty and his amazing team,” Conley added. “Their hard work and quiet dedication to the success of this project has been key to reaching this point, and together, we are committed to delivering a brighter, more connected future for Martin County.”
Foothills Rural Telephone Cooperative, a regional telecommunications provider, offers internet, phone and television services to communities across Eastern Kentucky. For more information about their broadband services, visit foothills.net.
Foothills installing fiber.