![]() ![]() “It’s impossible to comprehend the impacts and frustrations that come with no access to broadband. “For too long, Washington EMC members, like many others living in the beautiful rural areas of our state, have gone without necessary services like quality, high-speed internet,” said WEMC President/CEO Wendy Sellers. “Connectivity is essential for Georgia ratepayers to participate in today’s economy.” “I hear from Georgians every day about the challenges caused by lack of broadband in rural areas,” said Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore. The legislation is doing exactly what it was intended to do – encourage EMCs and community leaders to work together on developing innovative solutions to close the gap on the digital divide in our state.” “This is yet another example of why I signed Senate Bill 2 in 2019 to allow EMCs the authority to provide broadband service. “The announcement we are making today will have a real impact on hardworking Georgians, providing new job opportunities, improved education tools and access to telemedicine,” said Governor Kemp. The internet service will be powered by Washington EMC fiber, but Conexon Connect will provide the retail service to homes and businesses, managing account set-up, customer service, operations, marketing and billing. WEMC will own the fiber and lease excess capacity to Conexon Connect, which has agreed to serve every EMC member with fiber-to-the-home internet speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second. Conexon works exclusively with electric cooperatives and is considered one of the pioneers in the electric cooperative broadband movement. Under terms of the agreement, WEMC will partner with Conexon Connect, the internet services provider (ISP) arm of full-service rural fiber-optic broadband provider Conexon, to design and build a 3,000-mile fiber network that will serve two strategic purposes: provide improved electric service and increased reliability through smart grid capabilities, and provide high-speed internet access to all 12,200 WEMC members within the next three years, beginning as early as first quarter 2022. The partnership includes a capital investment of more than $54.5 million with Washington EMC (WEMC) investing $52 million and Conexon Connect contributing another $2.5 million. Governor Kemp announced that Washington EMC will form a new partnership with Conexon Connect to provide high-speed fiber internet to more than 12,000 homes and businesses in 10 Middle Georgia counties-Baldwin, Emanuel, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Johnson, Laurens, Warren, Washington and Wilkinson. Brian Kemp and Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore made an announcement in Washington County today. (Sandersville, GA – April 16, 2021) – Efforts to expand broadband access to unserved areas of Georgia continue as Gov. Washington EMC and Conexon Connect expand broadband Green Power EMC Energy Education Program.Safety Demos and Tours of Washington EMC. ![]()
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