For Jen Hill, living in rural Greene County meant a constant struggle to stay connected. Before high-speed internet reached her home this year, simply getting online was a daily challenge.
“It was difficult to find places where I could connect,” said Hill, who works remotely as a computer programmer. “I would find myself going to the library, sitting in the parking lot at a McDonald’s or, you know, just going through all kinds of machinations in order to get connected to work.”
“I would find myself working early mornings or late nights in order to have the speeds to do things that I needed to do.”
That all changed as a result of REC’s efforts to build a fiber network that an internet service provider now uses to provide broadband to Hill and her neighbors.
“It was fantastic to just realize that I didn’t have to check speeds all the time. Now, I could just work anytime I want. I never have any issues and so it can be more on my schedule.”
Hill is grateful for the investment REC made to create this new reality for her family. “I know that [REC has] spent a lot of money and time in order to go into out-of-the-way areas and connecting [high speed internet] there,” she says. “Providing broadband to areas that couldn’t get it in any other way.”
To REC and the teams that helped bring broadband to her family, Hill has one simple message: “Thank you. I appreciate it so much. You guys have made my day—or made my year actually—and having it available now, it’s been awesome.”
“Thank you. You guys have made my day – or made my year actually.”
- Jen Hill, REC member