Chamber grant to help widen broadband access

CANTON — Two Internet service providers will extend broadband access to several communities with a St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce grant.

Slic Network Solutions, Potsdam, and RidgeviewTel LLC, Longmont, Colo., combined will invest $180,000 to expand service via the Development Authority of the North Country's fiber-optics network to communities where high-speed Internet access is scant or nonexistent. The Chamber will match the companies' investments using a $196,000 grant secured by former U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"It's very exciting. It's a great opportunity for us," said Phillip J. Wagschal, Slic president and general manager.

Slic and RidgeviewTel were among three bidders for the project, which offered $60,000 to companies willing to extend service in each of three targeted rural areas around Morristown, Waddington and Massena.

Ten service providers were contacted about the project, said Patricia L. McKeown, Chamber executive director. She said only a handful submitted proposals because there is little profit potential in areas with few residents.

"There is no guarantee that either of their investments will pay off," Ms. McKeown said. "These companies are willing to step in and take a chance on St. Lawrence County."

Daniel Churchill, RidgeviewTel consultant, said the company has been looking for some time to expand service in St. Lawrence County.

"Without the Chamber grant, this would not be possible," he said.

RidgeviewTel is seeking stimulus funds to further expand connections to DANC's network. Company officials have said that expansion will allow other service providers to hook into the network.

Mr. Wagschal's reasons for wanting Slic involved in the project are more personal.

"Our kids live here. I'd like mine to be able to live here after they graduate," he said. "We're going into areas of the county that are very risky, but this grant from the Chamber was very enabling. It's critical to the county."

Slic's $60,000 investment will extend DANC fiber connections north from Brasher Falls to Massena, east to Helena and west to Raymondville. He estimated the expansion would provide access to 100 homes.

RidgeviewTel will invest $120,000 to extend DANC fiber connections in the village of Morristown, Morristown Center to Black Lake, east to Lost Village Road, north to Route 37, to the west of Jacques Cartier State Park through Brier Hill to Cedars. The company also will focus on the area between Waddington and Norfolk, starting at Big Sucker Brook, south past Madrid-Waddington Central School to the Potsdam town line, east to Main Street in Norfolk, and north on Route 56 through Raymondville headed up to Route 37B and Route 37.

Mr. Churchill said the company estimates that 1,500 homes around Morristown and 2,500 homes in the Waddington-Norfolk area will receive high-speed Internet access. He said the company expects to enroll its first new customers by August.

The goal is to complete both companies' expansions by fall, Ms. McKeown said.

"It's one of those projects that we're really glad to be working on," said David M. Wolf, DANC Open Access Telecommunications Network Division general manager. "I think both companies have done a great job providing solutions."

Ms. McKeown said an additional $500,000 in federal stimulus package funding is sought to target more communities.