SGRITA begins implementation of five county internet project

(L-R) Barbie Womble, SGRITA Board/Miller County Commission chair; Clark Harrell, SGRITA Board/ Mitchell County 911 director; James Cannon, SGRITA Board/Damascus Peanut Co.; Lee Conner, SGRITA chairman/City of Arlington); Richard Ward, SGRITA treasurer/Early Counmty Commission chair; Jason Shannon, SGRITA consultant-Civitium; Bailey White, SGRITA consultant-Civitium; Bennett Adams, SGRITA vice-chair/Mitchell County administrator. (Others pictured are contractors). COLQUITT- Thursday, May 15, at 10 a.m. at the Miller County Chamber of Commerce, South Georgia Regional Information Technology Authority (SGRITA) hosted executives and technical staff from the three vendors who have been commissioned to build Phase 1 of the SGRITA broadband network. This network will provide high speed internet access to large customers such as school systems and businesses and provide the foundation for future phases of the project.

The network that is being built will be one of the best of its kind anywhere in the country and will likely serve as model for other communities across the U.S.

"Today is a major milestone for SGRITA. We are now commencing the installation of the first equipment and are on the road to serving rural customers throughout the region," said Lee Conner, chairman of SGRITA. "We are fortunate to have this opportunity and expect to bring this first phase of the network live in the fall. More importantly, this phase puts in place the critical infrastructure required for our ultimate long term goal, serving those that can't get broadband other ways."

SGRITA consists of Baker, Calhoun, Early, Miller, and Mitchell counties. Board members of SGRITA have pursued this network and the benefits it can bring to the region for over two years, and the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District, a principal partner in the project, has pursued rural broadband since the 1990s. Today marks a great milestone in the realization of their vision and planning.

"Over the last year we have moved from an idea to a design to firmcontracts and commitments," said James Cannon, a board member of SGRITA and an accountant at Damascus Peanut. "To see this work now commencing makes today special. We thank OneGeorgia and the Flint District for their financial support of this project."

The companies commissioned for Phase 1 construction are Digitel, Gunby, and Kruger with project management, design, and oversight provided by Coastal Broadband and Civitium. The Requests for Proposal for the project issued by SGRITA were competitively pursued by companies throughout the eastern United States.

Those interested in the network can learn more at www. SGRITA.org. Offices for SGRITA are currently based in Arlington. SGRITA also plans to hire a director of operations soon to manage the network and is proud to start bringing jobs to the region.