ROANEnet Commends REU For Receiving ARC Grant

For Immediate Release – Harriman, TN – October 15, 2019 – ROANEnet, (roanenet.org) a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to increasing affordable and reliable internet access and digital literacy in Roane County is very pleased to hear that Rockwood Electric Utility (REU) received a $50,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant for the REU Smart Grid Technology Plan. According to ARC (www.arc/gov/power), this grant will support REU’s goal of building a technology backbone that can support broadband service in parts of Roane, Morgan, and Cumberland Counties.

ROANEnet wants to thank REU and Kendall Bear, General Manager of REU, for their perseverance and dedication to research and analysis of this needed service. Mr. Bear pulled together a broadband team that diligently benchmarked other electric utilities offering broadband as well as studied the risks and rewards of offering broadband to its customers.

We hope this grant opens the door for REU being able to provide broadband service to its customers in rural areas that are not currently served by other internet service providers. ROANEnet looks forward to the day when all Roane County citizens have access to affordable, robust and reliable broadband services.

Contact: Dayle Beyer, 224.241.2261 , [email protected]