MONTICELLO – Last June, Archtop Fiber broke ground in Sullivan County to expand its high-speed fiber, internet, and phone service. The project is supported by Governor Hochul’s Connect All municipal infrastructure program, along with Sullivan County, receiving almost $30 million, which is the single largest grant ever awarded to the county, with over 200 miles of fiber to be laid.
The County Planning Commissioner, Heather Brown, said the work is being done even under harsh winter conditions.
“They’re doing a bang-up job with it,” Brown said. “They are currently laying conduit, and we did have our first strands of fiber pulled through that conduit in the Tennanah Lake area, in the Liberty area, and in the Mamakating area.”
The power of connectivity will grant residents access to the creator economy’s full potential, in turn fueling long-term benefits and economic growth for the region. With fiber optics in place, the area will be poised to attract new businesses as well as remote, work- from-home talent, which will further promote an economic boost.
“It’s necessary for businesses,” Brown added. “It’s necessary for schools. It’s necessary for telehealth. It’s necessary and vital for everything that we do in our lives.”
Brown said that Sullivan County is on track to complete the project by the grant deadline of December 31, 2026.