Tioga County town gets broadband-access funds

In Nichols, the funding will allow the Southern Tier Network (STN) to build a 35-mile open access, fiber-to-the-premise network to reach unserved and underserved households. STN is collaborating with Tioga County, the town of Nichols, and the New York Power Authority to complete the project. The Tioga County Legislature provided additional funding for the project.

“This coordinated plan strategically aligns nonprofit, municipally focused fiber optic telecommunication organizations like Southern Tier Network, Development Authority of the North Country, and Sherburne Electric Coop with NYPA and the New York State ConnectALL office to creatively leverage their collective assets and resources for ultra-high-speed broadband infrastructures to serve these residents who have desperately needed a quality, reliable, and affordable internet service for years,” STN President and CEO Steve Manning said in a press release.

STN is leveraging existing middle-mile, dark fiber, open-access network in the town and will own, operate, and maintain the infrastructure. STN will contract will internet-service providers to provide service to each connected residence.

“NYS ConnectALL funds will give us the leverage we need to bring high-speed internet to the residents of the town of Nichols,” LeeAnn Tinney, director of Tioga County Economic Development and Planning, said. “Access to high-speed broadband is necessary for economic development, and we are excited to work with the Southern Tier Network, the town of Nichols, and New York Power Authority to make high-speed broadband availability in Nichols a reality.”

Work on the project will begin this summer. More information about ConnectALL is available at broadband.ny.gov.