South Central Power bringing internet service to local Ohio counties

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio (WTRF) –

South Central Power, an electric cooperative serving thousands in Ohio, now also offers high speed fiber internet service as well.

“Connect S-P-C” was created to provide high speed broadband to 14 counties in rural Ohio.
It is nearly finished setting up a network in Somerton that will eventually serve Harrison and Monroe counties as well.

It will serve 5,700 homes and businesses in southeast Ohio.

Their announcement Tuesday at Belmont College drew local, county and state officials.

Here over the next couple of weeks, we’re going to take advantage of investments that we’ve made by attaching fiber to our electric infrastructure and we’re gonna begin connecting real subscribers, real members here on or about May 6.

Rick Lemonds, President & CEO, South Central Power

We’re very appreciative of South Central Power for doing this because there are a lot of areas in Belmont County that still don’t have decent internet. You know it’s so important. I get told many times that hey, my kid can’t do their homework ’cause you know we have to drive somewhere so they can sit and do their homework. And this is what we’re trying to eliminate.

Jerry Echemann, Belmont County Commissioner

They say there’s a huge void in internet service in many areas of eastern Ohio. They say people need service in order to work from home, shop online, use telemedicine, eliminate expensive cable bills and enjoy online gaming.

Individuals and businesses in the Somerton area can sign up by calling 800-282-5064.

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