Jackson entrepreneur takes on the last-mile challenge of high-speed Internet in the mountains
The gap between the haves and have nots in the world of high-speed Internet will get a little smaller this spring thanks to a start-up Internet company that will soon be beaming Internet service from towers in Jackson County.
Broadband survey needs more rural responses
Haywood County leaders are still in the process of collecting data on broadband Internet service, but they need help from residents living in rural parts of the county.
Maggie Valley Mayor Ron DeSimone sits on the Haywood County Economic Development Commission and is heading up the effort to bring better broadband service to the county.
WNC leaders worry that region will be left behind economically
Western North Carolina business and political leaders are wondering who will go to the mat for them to attract new and expanding businesses now that the N.C. General Assembly has severed ties with two important rural economic development entities.
“Who is going to be our advocate, and where are we going to find funds?” said Ron Leatherwood, a member of Haywood County’s Economic Development Commission. “Someone has got to fill that void.”
Rural Center cut may negatively affect WNC
A recent government audit of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center has divided much of the state.
Wireless internet beamed into rural areas solves high-speed service conundrum
Jackson County could be going from zero to high-speed in no time.
Two internet providers are laying plans to beam wireless internet into rural and remote reaches of Jackson — areas that until now have been underserved when it comes to high-speed internet access.
Changes in store for rural post offices
Some small post offices in Western North Carolina may have their hours cut or be shut down as the U.S. Postal Service continues to hunt for ways to solve its ongoing financial deficit.
Last year, a proposal to close hundreds of post offices across the country was met with a backlash, causing that plan to be largely abandoned.
Sheriffs grapple with best way to serve growing populations in remote areas
It’s a long wait for residents of Nantahala in Macon County when they dial the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy response time to the small community of Nantahala from the sheriff’s office in Franklin can take up to 30 minutes, which is why Sheriff Robbie Holland wants to expand his force and station someone in Nantahala fulltime, but that too has been a long time coming.
Rural growth prompts ambulance response time debate
As the population in the rural areas of Haywood County grows, leaders are being faced with the question of whether it’s time to station new ambulances in these outlying areas.
Verizon expands DSL service in rural areas
High-speed Internet access has been expanded into several rural areas in the region thanks to a technology investment by Verizon landline company.
