Diverse Power Inc. and its internet affiliate Kudzu Networks Inc. has filed documents with the Georgia Public Service Commission in conjunction with its purchase of South Georgia Regional Information Technology Authority (SGRITA), a company providing internet service to rural areas in Southwest Georgia.

"Internet access is no longer a 'want' but rather a 'need'," says Diverse Power President/CEO Wayne Livingston.

"Our board of directors, who live and work in rural communities, thought it important enough to step-up and play a role in providing what is becoming an essential service for our members and communities to remain competitive and vital in the 21^st century."

SGRITA began soliciting bids in third quarter 2019 for the sale of its assets, including more than 600 customers in Early, Miller, Baker, Calhoun and Mitchell counties. Diverse Power Inc. was the only bidder - among 16 eligible contenders - to respond to SGRITA's request for proposal.

On April 26, 2019, Gov. Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 2, legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly, which allows electric membership corporations such as Diverse Power Inc. to provide broadband services or leverage EMC infrastructure in other ways to aid deployment of broadband.

As required in SB 2, Kudzu Networks Inc. will maintain separate books of accounts and records subject to inspection and compliance as required by Georgia Law. The cost of forming the broadband affiliate will not be borne by Diverse Power Inc. ratepayers.

These requirements, as outlined in SB 2, ensure that cross-subsidizations do not occur between the electric activities of Diverse Power Inc. or any other electric cooperative and any associated broadband activities.

Removing barriers for the expansion of broadband to rural Georgia has been a top priority for state lawmakers, recognizing that a lack of high-speed internet prohibits quality education, economic development, telemedicine and improved quality of life for many Georgians. Without access, new and growing businesses, entrepreneurs and others are likely to flee areas that lack broadband, putting rural Georgia at risk.

"We want to thank legislators for their leadership and support of Senate Bill 2 in the last legislative session," notes Livingston. "If not for passage of SB 2, Diverse Power could not have submitted a bid for SGRITA to become a dependable and reliable provider of high-speed internet in rural Southwest Georgia."

In addition to Diverse Power's acquisition of SGRITA, other EMCs in Georgia are actively searching for solutions to the broadband dilemma, including partnering with other entities (i.e. – any willing cable operator and/or other entities) and seeking available funding for deployment. 

In fact, following passage of SB 2 in April 2019, EMCs have taken significant actions. Among them:

EMCs led or supported three of seven applications in the first round of USDA's ReConnect Program for rural broadband in Georgia.

EMCs initiated or are evaluating feasibility studies and/or conducting member surveys or other ways to advance broadband deployment.

EMCs are reviewing and assessing business and financial models to determine if it's economically viable to enter the broadband space.

EMCs continue leading discussions with potential partners and other 3^rd party providers across the state. For example, Jefferson Energy in Wrens and Sumter EMC in Americus have formed partnerships with Pineland Telephone Co-op to provide improved broadband access to areas that are underserved through a fiber-swap arrangement.

Habersham EMC in Clarkesville and Blue Ridge Mountain EMC in Young Harris have been pioneers in the delivery of broadband to rural areas. Blue Ridge Mountain EMC currently serves 8,700 broadband consumers and recently announced plans to add approximately 15-20 percent in 2020. Habersham EMC expects to increase broadband deployment 20 percent by year-end with a goal of increasing subscriber count (approximately 4,900 currently) 100 percent by 2023.

Altamaha EMC in Lyons, and at least one other EMC as a principal partner with an applicant, will be submitting a second application prior to the March 16 deadline in USDA's Reconnect Program.

According to Livingston, through these tangible efforts, EMCs are helping to move the needle in bringing broadband to underserved and unserved areas. The endeavor is made especially challenging due to the number one barrier of broadband deployment: the high cost of extending facilities into rural areas with low customer density.  

For EMCs, the statewide average electric customers per mile is less than 11, far below the 20-plus customers-per-mile generally necessary for existing communications service providers to produce a return on their investment in broadband deployment.

Diverse Power Inc. is a member-owned electric cooperative that provides reliable electric energy-related services to the Georgia Counties – Troup, Harris, Heard, Meriwether, Muscogee, Coweta, Quitman, Randolph, Clay, Calhoun and parts of Early, Stewart, and Terrell. As well as Chambers County, Alabama. Formed by farmers and rural businessmen in 1936 to bring electricity to the rural countryside a thoroughly innovative idea at the time, Diverse Power continues to serve its members and communities with innovation through vision and quality through service.