2019 Technology FINAL

Eastern Kentucky rings of
KentuckyWired project are complete
Speaking at the SOAR Summit in Pikeville in early September,
Congressman Hal Rogers announced completion of the
construction phase of the KentuckyWired project in Eastern
Kentucky.
The announcement is another major milestone for the
KentuckyWired project which, when completed, will be the
first statewide high-speed broadband network in the nation.
The completion of KentuckyWired’s 1B and 2 rings will provide
the infrastructure for broadband connectivity in 39 counties,
including (Ring 1B) Bath, Bourbon, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter,
Clark, Clay, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Jackson, Johnson, Knott,
Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Madison, Magoffin, Martin,
Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owsley, Perry, Powell,
Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Wolfe, and (Ring 2) Bell, Harlan,
Knox, Letcher, McCreary, Pike, Wayne and Whitley.
“We celebrated a historic milestone in Kentucky today by turning
on KentuckyWired’s highly anticipated network rings in Eastern
Kentucky,” said Congressman Rogers, a co-founding principal
of SOAR. “Now, we turn our attention to the last mile, by helping
local leaders and providers take the next steps to extend the
network out into every community to expand access to your
homes and businesses. This new broadband interstate bridges
the digital gap to high-tech jobs and economic development
opportunities for every single county in Kentucky.”
KentuckyWired’s broadband connectivity is expected to be 10
to 20 times faster than what is currently offered by providers.
The network is a middle-mile network, meaning that it will be
up to local internet service providers (ISPs) to offer broadband
to homes and businesses. KentuckyWired representatives
are planning a series of community meetings, in partnership
with The Center for Rural Development, to ensure that local
communities understand the options that are available to
connect to the KentuckyWired network.
8 The Center Insider
Reliable, high-speed internet has proven a key factor for
job growth and creation, with 79 percent of job seekers
reporting the use of online resources in their employment
search. KentuckyWired will increase economic opportunities
in Eastern Kentucky by providing access to broadband for
new and existing companies looking to locate in the region.
The KentuckyWired network not only has the potential to
transform local economies, but will also provide first responders,
healthcare providers, and local governments, with the
connectivity necessary to protect and serve Kentuckians.
Representatives from Senture, one of Southern and Eastern
Kentucky’s largest technology-based employers, joined
the conversation at the SOAR Summit to underscore the
importance of broadband connectivity in the region by
announcing the addition of 400 jobs at the facilities in London,
Annville and Williamsburg.
“Senture is very excited to announce these 400 new jobs for
southeastern Kentucky,” said Christopher Deaton, President
and CEO. “The hard work and dedication of Senture’s
employees make this growth possible. We are excited about
new opportunities afforded by KentuckyWired and the future of
our company and our communities.”
Earlier this year, Congressman Rogers spoke during the
announcement of an another KentuckyWired milestone when
Ring 1A and a key backbone segment from Lexington to
Somerset were completed. At that time, Rogers explained
the project’s origins. “The Center for Rural Development and
SOAR advocated for a transformational broadband system
that would revitalize Eastern Kentucky. To be fair, the expense
to bring service into the depths of our mountains simply has
not been feasible for most providers, especially our small
rural companies. But KentuckyWired eliminates that obstacle
by developing this ready-made network that providers can