Richland County Councilwoman Dalhi Myers will host a virtual town hall Saturday, Oct. 3 to discuss the rollout of high-speed internet access in rural Lower Richland.
As part of Richland County’s efforts to improve water, sewer and broadband infrastructure access in rural areas, the County is proud to announce that TruVista Telecom is installing fiber optic cable in Lower Richland. The company’s work, expected to be complete by spring 2021, will complement the new water and sewer lines the County is installing there.
"TruVista has a reputation for delivering premium service, including high-speed broadband internet, in rural areas,” Myers said. “We welcome them to the Lower Richland community and look forward to their service start in the spring and summer of 2021.”
The tele town hall will discuss the rollout of the new private broadband network, the areas it will reach and how potential new customers can get more information directly from the company. Council Vice Chair Myers, who represents District 10, held a previous tele town hall about the County’s water and sewer project in April. The upcoming event builds on information from the previous one and will follow the same format.
The event will begin at 11 a.m. and last one hour. The County welcomes public input, and residents will have a chance to ask questions about the projects during the event. Those who do not receive a phone call to prompt participation can dial in at 11 a.m. by calling 803-702-8926.
Carla French, president and COO of TruVista, will join the call to discuss her company’s efforts and internet access plan. Richland County utilities staff and County Administrator Leonardo Brown will also be on hand to answer questions.
The broadband effort represents a public-private partnership to improve access to high-speed Internet service in Lower Richland.
“Access to true high-speed internet over broadband lines will be a game changer for our children in their educational efforts, those working remotely and citizens seeking e-medical advice,” Myers said. “With TruVista’s experience in telecommunications and 123-year history as a part of South Carolina, we look forward to service options and reliability on par with urban areas."
Southeast Richland Water & Sewer Systems Expansion Project
Work continues on the water and sewer project, which will connect Hopkins Middle School, Hopkins Elementary School, Gadsden Elementary School and Franklin Park to public sewer service and eliminate the need for wastewater lagoons at those sites. In addition, the project will link public water and sewer services with residences, small businesses, government offices and churches in the area, as well as McEntire Joint National Guard Base.
The utilities expansion represents a $27.5 million infrastructure investment in Southeast Richland. The project will add 116 fire hydrants along a 33-mile path as part of an effort to better protect communities, increase home values and lower insurance rates.
Construction on the first of the project’s two phases began April 15 and is expected to be complete by the second quarter of 2021.
Phase one is designed to include Lower Richland Boulevard, Air Base Road, Congaree Road, Bluff Road, Reynolds Road, U.S. 601, Cabin Creek Road, Ault Road, Trotter Road, Congaree Church Road and Clarkson Road.
Planning, design and execution for the second phase of the project is anticipated to start in 2024.
Summary
Who: Richland County Council Vice Chair Dalhi Myers
What: Southeast Richland tele town hall to discuss broadband access and the Southeast Richland Water & Sewer Systems Expansion Project
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
How: Dial in at 803-702-8926 (press 0 to record a question or comment)