Court looking into fiber optic

Jack County officials are looking into paying $1.2 million in ARPA funds toward getting fiber optics to the city of Jacksboro, with potential for that later getting spread throughout the county.

Tanner Roberts with Air-Fiber, a Jacksboro company, said his company provides faster and more reliable Internet and would not be subject to the frequent outages that AT&T has. The wiring would all be buried.

In Phase 1, which would provide up to 1 GB of internet connectivity, would include 228 homes and small businesses around the downtown square. It would also include the courthouse, Jacksboro Police and Fire Departments as well.

Roberts said this would provide stable internet for decades to come.

Once approval is given for the project, installation is expected to take an estimated 5-10 months, Roberts said. Roberts said they hope to expand the number of homes being served and would need to see what kind of infrastructure they have.

“We own it. We manage it and we provide support in case of an outage,” Roberts explained.

Depending on how things go in Phase 1 and what kind of response is received will also determine how fast other phases go.

“Once Phase 1 is complete, we will see the most economical way to get as many people done as possible,” Roberts said. “It will depend on how many people we can get done per foot of cable.”

Roberts said having a partnership with the county is really the only way of doing this that makes economic sense because of the lack of density of residents.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Henry Birdwell said his constituents will be asking why is the county spending that kind of money with us not getting anything out of it. Roberts said future growth, which is expected in the county, will eventually make it out into his area.

“I need to see how I’m going to get the $1.2 million back,” Birdwell said.

Information Technology Director Frank Hefner said having another internet provider in the county is crucial. All the funding the county provides will remain in the county.

No decision was made but the county will continue looking into the issue.

Jessica Bailey was sworn in as Appointed Justice of the Peace. Her term was not expected to begin until Jan. 1, 2023, but with the resignation and retirement of former JP Stacy Spurlock, Bailey’s term will begin early.