Metro Lex News

Lexington’s initiative to extend broadband internet to unserved and underserved areas in rural Fayette County is progressing, with service beginning this month in and around Jimtown, a rural hamlet in northern Fayette County, Mayor Linda Gorton announced 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, now Lexington’s Chief Information Officer, stated that the company is currently working on expanding broadband to other rural areas bordering Scott and Bourbon County, with additional projects planned for all of Fayette County.

“We hope to continue to expand the area where broadband is available,” Rodgers said. “It will help individual households and many local businesses operating on our farms connect to valuable health, employment, and e-commerce resources.”

Twelfth District Councilmember Kathy Plomin commented on the development: “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.”

This year also marks the City of Lexington welcoming 12 new businesses into Green Check, a green business sustainability certification program.

Surveying will begin this week for a project aimed at improving safety along a busy Lexington corridor.

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