How and why they choose certain areas for expansion
By Becky Long
Publisher
Blue Ridge Mountain EMC representatives updated the status of broadband expansion in Clay County during the commissioner’s Sept. 1 meeting, explaining how they will move forward after receiving a multi-million grant in July.
A $5.5 million Great Grant from North Carolina will help provide broadband service to Qualla Road, Shooting Creek, Fires Creek and off roads. Blue Ridge Mountain EMC will pay 30 percent of the matching grant.
Director of EMC’s Broadband service, Alex King explained, “Last month we were awarded $5.5 million from the state to build service to the areas of Shooting Creek, Fires Creek and Qualla Road and connecting roads of those general areas.”
The recent grant will help provide Internet to about 2,000 people, but the time frame for getting service has not been established. An agreement has to be signed and materials ordered. King said they would begin the expansion in Shooting Creek where it is easier “with a main line that goes almost all the way.” They already have 300 applications for service there. Fires Creek would be next and expected to be more difficult because there is no line.
Blue Ridge Mountain EMC is also awaiting word on another grant application they submitted to the state to help pay for Internet in Warne and Tusquittee.
“If we get that, all of Clay County will be served — by their definition,” King said referring to the state. “There will still be some pockets without, but we will work to expand those pockets.”
Pine Log is completely built with more than 300 residents being served thanks to a grant awarded to Blue Ridge Mountain EMC two years ago.
Director of EMC Administrative Services, Erik Brinke also explained how they choose where Internet service is provided, which largely depends on what grant guidelines dictate.
Brinke said North Carolina makes EMC apply for grants in census blocks. “That’s why you can see the southern end of Shooting Creek is part of it and the northern part is not,” he said referring to a county-wide service map.
“We have to play by the rules of the granting agency,” said Brinke. “There are all kinds of weird rules. Everybody’s grants are different. If Alex is successful in getting grants, it has to be competitive. We’re very strategic in what we pick because we want to win. Then, we will get to those other areas.”
He said that if a census block has coverage of a certain amount of speed then you can service that area. “That dictates a lot of what we do. The cost of build dictates a lot of what we choose. If we turn in a high cost bill where the cost for the consumer is twice what everybody else pays, they won’t go for that.”
Brinke said the grant process is “very strategic.” EMC chooses areas that are more likely to be considered favorably by the state.
He noted that areas like Tusquittee which is “very high build cost” because it has a lot of underground utilities which makes the cost greater. “We know it needs service and we would love for you to get it,” he said.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to go to Blue Ridge Mountain EMC’s website: www.brmemc.com, click on broadband and put in an application for service. They do not have contractual agreements becuase their competitors do not offer contracts. “There is a risk, but we think the value is greater than the risk,” said Brinke.
“People need to get those applications filled out and get ahead of the game,” advised Commissioner Clay Logan.