Todd County, Pennyrile, HES could partner to expand fiber internet access

Todd County has long sought access to broadband internet in its most rural areas and that could come through a partnership between fiscal court, Pennyrile Electric, Hopkinsville Electric System Energy Net and neighboring counties.

Judge Executive Todd Mansfield invited Alan Gates of Pennyrile and Richard Shaw from HES to speak to fiscal court Friday and they described the logistics of expanding fiber availability across the county and the challenges it would present.

Mansfield says it’s clear that if Todd County decides to use a portion of its stimulus funds to invest in expansion of fiber, they’ll need to act soon.

It’s difficult to find a provider to offer internet in rural areas with few homes to connect, but Pennyrile and HES are prepared to partner with Todd Fiscal Court on the project.

Judge Mansfield says he’s been in contact with other counties in Pennyrile’s footprint and they all see expanding fiber access as a priority.

In other action, magistrates approved adding a new full-time position to the road department.