The purpose of this grant is to assist Rutherford County with growing the broadband fiber infrastructure in Rutherford County and implementing plans to extend a fiber optic network to county assets such as fire and police stations and libraries from e-Polk’s existing backbone and planned, but unfunded, laterals to serve Rutherford County Schools. Funds will be used to extend the network for governmental and economic development purposes to outlying areas, where broadband is not available. The planned extension of “middle mile” fiber will allow wireless “last mile” private Internet Service Providers a cost effective system to offer Internet access at rates that are equal to or below costs in metropolitan areas.
