Rutherford County, NC goes high speed

OCTOBER 9, 2007 -- ONUG Communications Inc. has been chosen by e-Polk Inc. (search for e-Polk) to provide engineering, design, and related services for a 22-mile fiber-optic network backbone in Rutherford County. The network will connect the North Carolina towns of Ellenboro, Forest City, Spindale, and Rutherfordton.

"Being competitive in America's new information-based economy not only requires a computer but a network capable of supporting the many rich business and personal applications that exist today," contends Dan Huffman, president of ONUG Communications. "High-speed, high-capacity broadband access to Internet-based information, data, and communications is fast becoming as important as traditional utilities, yet large parts of rural America are losing out on jobs, economic development, and civic participation because of inadequate access to the Internet," he says.

Just like the rural electrification programs of the 1930s, governmental organizations and industry are stepping in to play a significant role in bringing innovative service to rural and underserved areas, adds Huffman. Private-public partnerships like e-Polk and Rutherford County often lead the way for their citizens in developing fiber backbone networks, he notes.

Guided by North Carolina's statewide e-NC project, a $30 million initiative to improve capacity, affordability, speed, and reliability of Internet service in rural North Carolina, Rutherford County raised enough money in charitable grants and community investment funds to build the network. The project is being administered by e-Polk Inc., a local community-owned non-profit corporation that is bringing access to rural communities.

ONUG will provide detailed engineering services, utility coordination and negotiation, material specifications, permitting, and project planning for the fiber-optic network.

Visit ONUG Communications Inc.
Visit e-Polk Inc.

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