Bennet Worked with Community to Ensure Fiber Connection Came to Silverton
Silverton is Last County Seat to Connect to Fiber-Optic Network
Silverton, CO – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet applauded news that Silverton School is now able to access high-speed Internet following the successful completion of a project to run a fiber-optic connection to the school. Following an Internet speed test this morning, they reported an extremely quick connection of 96 mbps download speed.
“It’s great to see this project finally come to fruition for the kids at Silverton School,” Bennet said. “This is a result of the hard work put in by school leaders and community officials to connect these kids to the Internet. This access will help open doors and give students new opportunities to learn about the world around them.”
Silverton is the state’s last county seat to connect to a fiber-optic network. Since 2011, Bennet has worked with federal, state, and local leaders to bring high-speed Internet to the school. He continued to raise the issue with federal officials and local stakeholders to ensure the project was completed and highlighted how improved broadband access in Silverton and along the Western Slope could benefit the entire region.
“We appreciate the support and work from Senator Bennet and the many, many people who have stood by us and helped us achieve our long-standing goal of a fiber connection to our community,” said Pete McKay, San Juan County Commissioner. “To have our public school connected to high-speed Internet is the best Christmas present our community could ever receive.”
“Senator Bennet’s consistent support and direct advocacy efforts over the past two years have been a critical component in helping to bring a long needed fiber connection to the Silverton School District and the Silverton community at large,” said Kim White, superintendent of Silverton Public Schools. “We are deeply grateful to Senator Bennet and his staff for the hours of conversation and intervention with various entities at both the state and federal levels aimed at keeping this project on track. Thanks to these critical interventions, the Silverton School will finally be able to access high speed bandwidths which will serve to create so many new opportunities for learning for our students.”
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