A project to bring fiberoptic cable for high speed internet access to Boulder is getting closer to reality.
Thanks to the efforts of two area construction and excavation companies in the area, the cable has been installed along Muskrat Lane headed into town. Once completed, “Boulder could become one of the only owns in Montana where everyone is being offered fiber,” Montana Internet CEO Josh Romandia told the Jefferson County Commission in June.
At the time, county officials were considering changing its internet provider to be part of the project in the fall. But further investigation led to a slowing of the county process.
Romandia told the commission that if his firm could get commitments from the county and the school districts to use the service, Montana Internet could work to extend the service throughout Boulder at a reasonable price to everyone, including residences.
The fiberoptic cable would be able to “produce enough bandwidth to light up New Jersey,” he said. That would lead to “a huge opportunity to attract commerce,” he added.
Although the details are taking time to achieve, area companies with heavy equipment have proceeded on faith that funding and logistics will come. Workers with R. S. Giulio Contractor and Bullock Contracting have been volunteering their time and equipment to make progress on the project. Under encouragement from Mayor Rusty Giulio, they proceeded with hopes of having the cable laid before winter shut down options. Giulio has been optimistic that the project can be completed and give a major boost to the local economy. Several businesses have told him they would be ready to relocate to Boulder if they can get high speed internet, he has said publicly.
Funding for the project has been approved since out of the Boulder Development Funds approved by the city council and the Montana Department of Commerce.
