Officials from Sullivan County joined with personnel from Archtop Fiber at The Bethel Woods Center for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of a $29.9 million buildout of high-speed internet fiber cable in the county.
The funding represents money provided to the county by New York State’s ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program administered by Empire State Development. The state’s program aims to expand broadband infrastructure throughout New York state.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Municipal Infrastructure Program highlights New York state’s commitment to innovative, equitable broadband solutions. By prioritizing public ownership, we ensure broadband connectivity is universally accessible, affordable, and sustainable. This investment will make a tangible difference in the daily lives of Sullivan County residents – helping students succeed in school, supporting small businesses, and expanding access to telehealth and other vital services.”
Through this initiative, Archtop Fiber will deploy more than 220 miles of fiber – nearly 100% of which will be buried underground rather than being strung on telephone poles.
“Archtop Fiber is proud to bring the fastest fiber Internet on the market to Sullivan County,” said Jeff DeMond, chairman and CEO of Archtop Fiber. “It’s partnerships like this that make a significant impact in local communities. We are committed to helping businesses grow, governments connect and make homes frustration-free all while making the American dream much more achievable through access to the creator economy.”
“This partnership represents the culmination of many years of work and vision by county staff and partners,” said Sullivan County Manager, Joshua A. Potosek. “I’m particularly grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development and Archtop Fiber for coming alongside Sullivan County to realize this enormous project, one which promises to impact thousands of people and businesses.”
Archtop Fiber recently announced securing nearly $200 million in funding to support its aggressive expansion plan throughout the Northeast, targeting rural and unserved communities. The company’s service is currently available across Kingston, Saugerties, Rhinebeck, Hudson, Warwick, and Woodstock in New York and Vernon, New Jersey.
The current project is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
