Page 37 - Carroll County NCG 2021

“Whether members sign up for 150mbs
or 1G speeds a month, they will receive
the same, best-in-class Internet service”
Gill said. “The fiber installation also serves
the cooperative’s smart-grid technology
and creates a better power experience
for our members.”

Carroll EMC CEO Tim Martin notes that
broadband speed Internet has gone from
luxury to necessity in short order. Carroll
EMC is pushing for the expansion, in part,
because having connected communities is
critical for recruiting a talented workforce
and other economic development looking to locate their businesses in rural
opportunities to the region. areas with access to skilled workers, easy
connections to multi-modal transportation,
“Whether for work, education, healthcare, and low overall business costs.
economic development or improving the
electrical grid, broadband today is the Beyond the economic development
equivalent of electricity in the 1930s – not implications, Gill said that deficiencies in
everyone has access to it, but it has become residential connections have been exposed
essential,” Martin said. “The digital divide by the COVID-19 pandemic. The demands
is real and rural America is getting left of remote education, telecommuting
behind. People and businesses will not and virtual healthcare are just a few of
come to more rural communities without the factors that justify the need for rural
broadband speed Internet.” citizens to have broadband speed Internet.

Gill echoed Martin’s thoughts when it “Once again, the digital divide grows
comes to the needs of today’s businesses. during a crisis. It exposes a tremendous
“It’s critical,” Gill said. “It’s just a fact now, if gap between those who have broadband
a company cannot connect, it will pass on and those who do not.” Gill said. “It will
your county and move on to the next one.” take utilities, governments and private
The installation of the fiber network with corporations to remedy this problem and
broadband capabilities will keep Carroll Carroll EMC is committed to leading the
County in the running for companies charge for the communities we serve.”

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce www.carroll-ga.org | 770-832-2446 33