Leahy And Community Leaders
Announce Funds For Internet Broadband Highway
To The Northeast Kingdom

(MONDAY, Dec. 19) –  Senator Patrick Leahy Monday announced a $500,000 federal appropriation to construct a fiber optic “ring” more than 375 miles long that will become a backbone for broadband internet access throughout the Northeast Kingdom.

“High-speed internet service will become a basic utility in the 21^st Century, and we need to act now to avoid the danger that much of the Northeast Kingdom will be sidelined,” said Leahy.  “Without access to affordable broadband service, our businesses, residents and students will be second-class citizens, facing economic and cultural disadvantages.”

Leahy, who planned on attending the formal announcement at the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital on Monday, was suddenly called back to Washington as Congress raced to complete its legislative agenda for the year, and he sent Chuck Ross, his Vermont director, and Ted Brady, his projects director, to attend the ceremony, where local business and government leaders celebrated the final piece of financing for this important economic and consumer initiative.  North-Link is a $10 million fiber optic network designed by Northern Enterprises, in cooperation with the Economic Development Council of Northern Vermont.  NEK North-Link will connect Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties to the world-wide network of high-speed internet access though the main North-Link backbone which encompasses the additional counties of Lamoille, Franklin, Grand Isle, Chittenden and Washington.

The funds Leahy announced Monday complete the financing needed to begin construction on the Northeast Kingdom fiber optic loop in 2006.  “We could not have gotten to this point without the assistance of Senator Jim Jeffords,” said Leahy.  He said that Jeffords, as chairman and then ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, worked closely with the federal Economic Development Administration, which earlier provided $3 million in grants for the overall project. 

“NEK North-Link is imperative to the economic future of our Northern Vermont communities,” said Ed Zuccaro, President of Northern Enterprises. “This initiative will provide for high-skilled employment opportunities helping to stem the outflow of our youth.  Our businesses will now have access to global markets and our schools will be more competitive through distance learning programs.  We thank Sen. Leahy for supporting this vital initiative.”

Leahy and the Vermont State Legislature have previously secured state and federal funds for broadband community grants.  These community grants championed by State Senators Vincent Illuzzi (R-Essex/Orleans), Matt Dunne (D-Windsor) and Hinda Miller (D-Chittenden) provide the so-called last mile broadband access for local businesses, schools and residents.  Many communities in the Northeast Kingdom, however, cannot take advantage of these programs since much of the region is bypassed by the existing broadband “highway.”  No private investment has been willing to build a broadband “backbone” in the Northeast Kingdom, and North-Link now will fill that void.

PDF:  During Monday’s announcement, a preliminary map of North-Link was unveiled.  Changes to the route remain possible.  Any reprints should describe the map as “preliminary” or “draft.”

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