Spectrum joined the Town of Norway and the South Carolina Broadband Office for a kickoff event on Friday, March 22 at 3 p.m. to announce a fiber-optic network expansion project that will bring gigabit broadband and other Spectrum services to more than 530 homes and small businesses in Norway, S.C.
Combined with the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) grant of $940,500, total project investment for the Main Street grant program, including $1.2 million from Spectrum, is $2.2 million.
“The South Carolina Legislature has shown tremendous leadership in embracing public-private partnerships as a vital strategy for connecting unserved communities,” said Marva Johnson, Group Vice President of State Government Affairs, Spectrum. “Through the Capital Projects Fund (CPF), Spectrum joins with state and local offices to bring gigabit broadband and more to hundreds of families and small businesses. We also thank the Town of Norway for its leadership to this Main Street grant program to support its residents that are currently without broadband – this commitment will make a meaningful difference in their community.”
“Eliminating the South Carolina Main Street digital divide is a primary goal of our broadband investments in South Carolina,” said Jim Stritzinger, Director of the SC Broadband Office. “We are extremely proud of this investment in Norway, which will bring fiber to unserved/underserved homes and be completed by Christmas 2024! We look forward to the possibilities that connectivity will bring to the area as the project unfolds.”
Additionally, Spectrum will make available a WiFi hotspot, which will be open to all users for one year. Spectrum will also award a $25,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant to a future partner in the area. The grant is part of Spectrum’s six-year, $8 million commitment to promote digital education and broadband technology in communities across the country.
“Expanding broadband into rural communities is one of the most important things we can do to grow our economy,” said Lynn Garrick, Mayor of Norway. “Spectrum is doing just that in Norway. I applaud Spectrum for their commitment to bridge the digital divide, so everyone has access to the information and tools they need to succeed in today’s environment.”
Article from the Newberry Observer