Lexington’s work to extend broadband internet to unserved and underserved areas in rural Fayette County is moving forward, with service beginning this month in and around Jimtown, a rural hamlet in northern Fayette County, Mayor Linda Gorton said today.
“Backed by a series of state grants, our partners at Spectrum have projects underway that will make high-speed internet available to hundreds of households and local businesses in rural Fayette County,” Gorton said. “The first to come online is an area that includes Jimtown.”
The city’s former Chief Information Officer Aldona Valicenti organized a regional broadband initiative with neighboring counties. An RFP was issued for accessible, affordable broadband in underserved and unserved sections of seven Central Kentucky counties. Spectrum was awarded the bid for Lexington in 2022.
“Spectrum’s expansion in Fayette County will deliver symmetrical and multi-gigabit speed internet access to previously unserved homes and small businesses,” said Jeff Gehrig, Regional Vice President, Field Operations, Charter Communications. “We look forward to the opportunity to continue to extend our ongoing partnerships in the Commonwealth – including with local, state and county leaders – who recognize the importance of rural connectivity to Kentucky’s future.”
Liz Rodgers, who is now Lexington’s Chief Information Officer, said the company is currently working to expand broadband to other rural areas bordering Scott and Bourbon County, with additional projects planned to cover the whole of Fayette County.
“We hope to continue to expand the area where broadband is available,” Rodgers said. “It will help individual households, and the many local businesses that operate on our farms connect to valuable health, employment and e-commerce resources.”
Twelfth District Councilmember Kathy Plomin said, “The rural community that I represent is thrilled that rural connectivity is beginning to move forward. It has taken some time because it is an enormous and costly undertaking. I appreciate all the patience within the District, especially during Covid, when quality internet was most critical. This is a very celebratory occasion.”
