Breaking Barriers in Sullivan County
In Sullivan County's rugged hills, a historic shift is underway. Governor Kathy Hochul's $29.9 million broadband project, launched with a ceremonial groundbreaking, will bring high-speed internet to 22,000 homes and businesses. By laying 253 miles of fiber optic cable, this initiative tackles the digital divide that has isolated rural New Yorkers from modern opportunities.
Families here have long faced unreliable or absent internet. Students struggled with online homework, small businesses lost sales due to dropped connections, and telehealth remained inaccessible for those needing care. Hochul's ConnectALL initiative changes that, delivering on a commitment to ensure every New Yorker, regardless of zip code, can thrive in the digital era.
This project stands as Sullivan County's largest-ever broadband investment. Funded by the state's Municipal Infrastructure Program and federal American Rescue Plan dollars, it embraces public ownership to keep prices affordable and access universal. A 2024 Center on Rural Innovation study highlights why this matters: rural counties with robust broadband saw 213 percent faster business growth and 18 percent stronger income gains.
The public-private partnership with Archtop Fiber balances efficiency and fairness. Sullivan County owns the infrastructure, while Archtop delivers service, ensuring competitive pricing. This model rejects the notion that only private companies can innovate. Why should rural communities wait for profit-driven solutions that never arrive?
Some argue government-led projects like this overstep, insisting markets should dictate connectivity. History proves them wrong. Private providers have bypassed rural areas for decades, leaving 17-25 percent of rural Americans without broadband, according to FCC data. Sullivan County's approach offers a practical alternative, prioritizing people over profits.
The Power of Public Control
Sullivan County's project rests on a bold principle: the internet serves everyone, prioritizing broad public access and affordability. By owning the fiber network, the county ensures fair pricing and prevents monopolies that burden families with high costs. Archtop Fiber, as the service provider, operates within this framework, fostering competition and choice.
This public ownership model draws on proven successes. From Erie County's ErieNet to small Adirondack networks, New York's publicly controlled systems have expanded access and lowered costs. A 2025 ACLP report notes that open-access networks, where multiple providers compete on public infrastructure, reduce prices by up to 30 percent. Sullivan County builds on this legacy.
The benefits touch every corner of life. Students will access online resources seamlessly, leveling the educational playing field. Small businesses, vital to rural economies, will tap new markets. Telehealth will bridge healthcare gaps, critical in areas with provider shortages. A 2025 Harvard-Microsoft study found rural areas trail urban ones by 0.46 standard deviations in digital engagement; this project narrows that divide.
Those who champion unfettered markets warn of taxpayer risks in public networks. Their concerns don't hold up. Private ISPs have failed to wire rural America, leaving millions disconnected. Public ownership, paired with private expertise, delivers results where markets have faltered. Sullivan County's model is a case study in pragmatic progress.
Beyond connectivity, this project fuels economic vitality. Construction, starting now, will create local jobs. Once operational, the network will support remote work and entrepreneurship, helping retain talent in Sullivan County. A 2024 study showed rural fiber investments yield three to four dollars for every public dollar spent, clear evidence of long-term value.
Hochul's $1 billion ConnectALL initiative sets a national standard. By combining state leadership with federal funds, it demonstrates government's role in fostering opportunity. Sullivan County's transformation signals what's possible when equity drives policy.
Building a Just Digital Future
The digital divide represents a significant technological gap and a barrier to fairness. With one in four rural households lacking wired broadband, as 2023 data confirms, entire communities are cut off from essential services. Sullivan County's project is a stand for justice, ensuring families from Liberty to Livingston Manor can learn, work, and connect.
Internet access is a necessity, as Senator Chuck Schumer affirmed at the groundbreaking. His $30 million in federal funding reflects a core truth: government action creates equitable opportunities. Education, healthcare, and economic growth depend on reliable connectivity.
Sullivan County's efforts align with broader national goals. The Biden administration's $48-50 billion Internet for All portfolio and the $42.5 billion BEAD program, set to finalize awards by 2025, provide a framework for progress. These investments empower communities like Sullivan County to reverse economic decline and build resilient futures.