North Georgia Network Connects to First Business in South End of the Core Ring

DAHLONEGA, Ga. (Nov. 19, 2012) – High-speed fiber optic Internet service is becoming a reality for businesses in the North Georgia Network’s eight-county service area.

Going Green Lawn & Landscaping of Dawsonville became the first business connected to the south end of the 260-mile core ring.

“When the connection was completed, we had our laptop connected and it was like going from a Pinto to a Jaguar,” said Going Green Lawn & Landscaping owner Laura James whose company serves residential and commercial clients in the Lumpkin, Dawson, North Forsyth and West Hall areas. “It was that fast.”

With the reliable high-speed connection, James has seen a difference in processing information and will now be able to use software that she could not previously because of a slower DSL connection.

“I upload and download documents daily whether its business proposals or bills,” James said. “I am constantly exchanging information with vendors. The faster connection allows us to access and process the data quickly.

“In addition, there is software with my business that I would like to have used but the connection was too slow to use. I held off purchasing it until I knew we had the fast, reliable connection. Now I can use that software which makes running my business better.”

James also said the high-speed connection will help as she pursues a horticulture degree online.

The North Georgia Network began as a joint effort of economic development professionals in Dawson, Forsyth, Lumpkin, Union and White counties, North Georgia College & State University, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC and Habersham EMC. The goal was to lay a foundation for a new technology-based economy in the region.

“From the very beginning, the goal of the North Georgia Network was to bring a reliable, and fast, Internet connection to North Georgia businesses, allowing local businesses to better compete in today’s economy,” North Georgia Network President Bruce Abraham said. “Going Green Lawn & Landscaping is a prime example of how a business can benefit from a fast Internet connection.”

The $42 million North Georgia Network broadband infrastructure project is made possible in large part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). ARRA provided grant funds to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to support major improvements in broadband infrastructure for the nation’s digitally unserved and underserved. In December 2009, NGN became the first organization to be awarded a grant through the program, receiving $33 million under the NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). Additional $ 9 million funding came from the State of Georgia, electric utilities and participating local communities.

For more information, contact:
Tiffany Fessler
Morton Vardeman & Carlson
770-536-8921
tiffany@vardeman.com

Jeff Butler
Morton Vardeman & Carlson
770-536-8921
jeff@vardeman.com