TriCoLink to receive funding from a $132.8 Million ARPA Investment to expand broadband access statewide
March 15, 2023
ST. MATTHEWS, SC – TriCoLink will receive more than $3.4 million in funding as part of a $132.8 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The investment aims to expand broadband access and adoption in underserved and unserved areas across the state.
The South Carolina Broadband Office (SCBBO) announced funding through ARPA, State, and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Priority 1.0 (ARPA SLFRF 1.0) grant program. “We are excited to have the opportunity to use this funding to expand broadband access to our membership,” said Chad Lowder, CEO of Tri-County Electric Cooperative. “Access to high-speed internet is essential for education, healthcare, business, and quality of life, especially in our rural communities.”
With the investment funds, TriCoLink will be able to expand its existing infrastructure faster and more economically than other providers. The funding will allow TriCoLink to provide affordable and reliable internet services to residents in Cameron, Creston, Elgin, Elloree, Fort Motte, Lugoff, Santee, and St. Matthews communities.
“The South Carolina Broadband Office has been a great partner in leading the effort to distribute ARPA funds for broadband expansion,” Lowder said. The overall investment from the South Carolina Broadband Office includes over 5,000 additional miles of fiber providing high-speed internet access to over 39,000 locations.
For more information on TriCoLink, visit tricolinksc.com.
More information about the ARPA investment can be found at ors.sc.gov/broadband.
About TriCoLink
TriCoLink is a local broadband provider delivering high-speed fiber internet access to 6 different counties in central South Carolina. TriCoLink was created as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tri-County Electric Cooperative that was created to meet the internet needs of its unserved and underserved service territory.
About the South Carolina Broadband Office
The SCBBO is located within the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS). It serves as the central broadband planning body to coordinate with federal, state, regional, local, and private entities, to the extent practicable, to engage in the continued deployment of broadband infrastructure in the state.
