CROWDER – A $1.7 million high-speed internet expansion project was officially launched Friday morning in the Pittsburg County town of Crowder by the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) and internet service provider Canadian Valley Telephone.
The project, funded through a $1.3 million federal grant administered by the OBO coupled with $430,000 in matching contributions from Canadian Valley Telephone, will connect 426 homes and businesses with broadband internet using fiber optic technology.
The award was made late last year by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board.
OBO and Canadian Valley Telephone officials, along with local legislators, federal and tribal officials, and municipal officials attended the event.
Officials said Friday’s event exemplifies the progress being made statewide to get high-speed internet access to all Oklahomans.
“What we’re breaking ground on today in Crowder is more than infrastructure — it’s the groundwork for a future where every Oklahoman, no matter their ZIP code, has a fair shot at success. In Crowder and across rural Oklahoma, reliable broadband will open doors to innovation, education, and economic growth — empowering communities to shape their own future in a connected world,” said OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders.
"The grant funds awarded to Canadian Valley Telephone will help to ensure all rural areas serviced by Canadian Valley Telephone will have access to Fiber Internet. It is of utmost importance to CVT that residents of rural Oklahoma have the same technological advantages as residents in urban areas,” said Orlean M. Smith, President/Owner, Canadian Valley Telephone Co. “CVT has served these rural communities since 1927 with telecommunications. It's exciting to bring the most advanced technology to rural Oklahoma and continue our almost 100-year legacy of providing rural Oklahomans with the telephone, internet and video services they want and need to live, work and play."
Grants of some $525 million have been awarded by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board. When matching funds from the internet service providers building the projects are added, the total investment is more than $840 million.
At least one project is slated to be built in 59 of the state’s 77 counties. Over 180 projects have been awarded to provide high-speed internet access to more than 69,000 homes and businesses.
With tens of thousands of locations to be served through OBO administered programs, the office is on pace to complete its mission of achieving statewide coverage.
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For more information:
Oklahoma Broadband Office
Tim Allen, Director of Communications & Media Relations
tim.allen@broadband.ok.gov
(405) 205-4929
Canadian Valley Telephone
Misty Souther, General Manager
msouther@cvok.net
(918) 334-3700
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