SAINT ALBANS, VT – The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) on May 13 awarded Northwest Vermont Communications Union District d/b/a Northwest Fiberworx (NWFX) a $20.2 million ARPA grant that will allow the Franklin/Grand Isle County company to begin building out a fiber internet network. Northwest Fiberworx is a nonprofit special purpose municipality that has 22 member towns as part of its communications union district that will benefit from this build.

The communities in Franklin & Grand Isle Counties of Vermont that NWFX represents are, Alburgh, Bakersfield, Berkshire, Enosburgh, Fairfield, Franklin, Fairfax, Georgia, Grand Isle, Highgate, Isle la Motte, Milton, Montgomery, North Hero, Richford, Saint Albans Town, Sheldon, South Hero, Swanton, Village of Alburgh, Village of Enosburg Falls and Village of Swanton.

This funding enables Northwest Fiberworx to move forward with its infrastructure design and deployment plans for construction in these towns.

The ARPA funding that is being awarded to Northwest Fiberworx will provide a sustainable network, access to affordable broadband services and participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program or any future comparable program. Most of all this build will help provide universal access to every unserved/underserved premise in the district.

Northwest Fiberworx Network Operations Manager, Mary Kay Raymond states, “We have a unique model, that of which we will build, own and maintain a fiber-to-the-premise open-access network.” NWFX construction model is also divided into phases, this $20.2 million grant will allow NWFX to begin Phase 1. Phase 1 goals are to serve the regions most needed communities for broadband services. Reaching over 3,800 Total unserved and underserved passed premises. This will also provide a strong financial model for future funding. Raymond states, “NWFX is actively moving forward to begin preparations for construction with our partners GWI (Great Works Internet) to begin deployment. We look forward to working with each of our member communities to break the digital divide and provide an economic impact as well as providing them with high-speed internet.”

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SOUTH ROYALTON, VERMONT: ECFiber, Vermont’s first communications union district, has obtained a BB rating for its 2023 Series A bonds from S&P Global, the nation’s preeminent credit rating agency.

“This is a historic moment,” said Stan Williams, ECFiber’s municipal finance advisor and widely regarded as the architect of Vermont’s Communications Union District (CUD) model. “For the first time, a CUD will be issuing a rated bond, which means that many more investors will be competing to buy those bonds, lowering the interest rate. ECFiber has been managed for its entire existence to reach this goal. It’s hard to overstate the importance of this achievement.”

“This moment was made possible by over 16 years of grass-roots persistence, driven by a conviction that working together, our region could overcome the failure of the marketplace to offer decent broadband to all our homes and businesses,” said F. X. Flinn, who chairs the governing board. “Along the way, ECFiber had to figure out how to do this with local people and local money, and wound up inventing a new type of municipality, the CUD, which has no taxing power, only the ability to issue tax-exempt revenue bonds backed entirely by customer payments and with no recourse to the underlying assets.”

Earlier this summer ECFiber celebrated the completion of the original mission to build a 23-town network when it activated its White River Junction central hub. ECFiber still has network to build. “ECFiber expanded in 2020, adding 8 towns to bring its total to 31,” explained Tom Cecere, who manages the day-to-day business operations. “Now that our work in Hartford is focused on customer installations, our construction crews have moved on and are presently building in the Fairlees and Bradford. We plan to complete the entire network by the end of 2025.”

With the rating effective today, the District will issue a Series 2023A bond for $7.53 million. The proceeds will be used for ECFiber’s $30 million network completion plan, about 25% of which is in progress, and for which the Vermont Broadband Board has issued or approved about $16 million in ARPA-based grants. ECFiber intends to complete the network before the end of 2025, at which time it will have brought world-class broadband to more than 25% of the 80,000 unserved or underserved addresses in Vermont in 2012. This brings the District’s total bond issuance to $71.83 million.

ECFiber’s network is capable of delivering 1000mbps download and upload, a symmetrical gigabit, the entry point for saying that an ISP provides world-class broadband. Moreover, unlike for-profit providers, ECFiber’s business mission is to build out to every home and business on the grid in the member municipalities. Because ECFiber’s buildout process prioritized first bringing broadband to areas that were stuck with dial-up, the denser, cable-served areas were the last part of the network to be built – exactly the opposite approach of cable companies.

Virtually all of the funding has come from borrowed money: initially over 450 local residents invested $7 million, but after becoming a CUD in 2015, bonds became the principal financing tool. All original investors were repaid by 2018.

ECFiber is the trade name used by the East Central Vermont Telecommunications District. As a special purpose municipality akin to a water district, it is comprised of 31 member towns, each of which exercises a single vote on the District Governing Board through one or more appointed delegates. The District has no taxing authority and cannot call upon member town taxpayers for any support; all funding is through revenue bonds, business surplus or grants.

The District contracts with GWI Vermont, LLC, a subsidiary of Great Works Internet of Maine, which operates ISPs in a number of Maine municipalities, to design, build, and operate the business. GWI was assigned the contract the District had with ValleyNet, Inc. in late 2022, and all employees moved from being ValleyNet staff to being GWI staff. The District has no employees; its board members and officers serve without compensation.

ECFiber serves over 8,000 residential and business customers on over 1,700 miles of network. It participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program, and, through its Affordability Fund, offers private subsidies to low-income households.

Links:

ECFiber website

District Bonds

S&PGlobal Ratings

Vermont CUD Association

Vermont Community Broadband Board

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

F.X. Flinn

Chair, Governing Board (Town of Hartford Delegate)

East Central Vermont Telecommunications District (dba ECFiber)

e: chair@ecfiber.net | m:802-369-0069

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Biddeford, Maine– Biddeford Internet Corporation d.b.a GWI, a Maine Benefit Corporation, a premier provider in fiber-optic internet service, and the state’s first B Corporation certified Internet Service Provider (ISP), is pleased to announce that Kerem Durdag has become the Company’s CEO and Fletcher Kittredge, GWI’s founder and former CEO, moves into the roles of Chief Strategy Officer and Vice President of Legal Affairs. In addition, Fletcher Kittredge will continue to chair GWI’s Board of Directors. The change in executive positions represents a historical shift for GWI, as the company focuses its sole gaze on fiber-optic network deployments and leveraging more marketplace opportunities throughout the New England region. 

GWI has been an industry leader in the development, deployment,  implementation, and management of broadband networks throughout the State of Maine and most recently, has partnered with  multiple Communications Union Districts (CUDs) in Vermont. Kittredge founded GWI in 1994 and has served as the CEO for nearly 30 years, has been critical in the company’s sustainability and success. “Kerem joined our team six years ago. As our COO and later President, he has helped grow GWI and been instrumental in our transition to a benefit corporation, Certified B Corporation, and a company dedicated to serving rural communities.. Kerem is a thoughtful, charismatic leader with a strong moral compass; just what the job requires” remarked Kittredge regarding his colleague.

Prior to joining GWI as the COO and President, Durdag was CTO of a global semiconductor, optical media company and engineering manager of a world leading electronic manufacturing company, respectively. “It is an honor to have Fletcher as my business partner as we press on our growth plans,” stated Durdag. “There is  meaning to the work we engage in because we want it to live beyond ourselves with a moral, ethical, and financial obligation towards society. Together with Fletcher and the entire team at GWI, we continue to intentionally make the world just a little more equal, a little more laden with choice, and a little more connected to each other.” In addition to his role at GWI, Durdag is also the Founder and Managing Partner of the Indus Fund which provides micro-loans to immigrant business owners.

About GWI

GWI, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Biddeford, Maine, is a Maine Benefit Corporation owned and operated Internet Service Provider (ISP), serving residential and business customers and is a fervent advocate for the expansion of high-speed internet access. The first broadband carrier in the nation to become B Corporation certified, GWI is an industry leader in designing, constructing, funding, and operating high-speed fiber networks.  For press inquiries, please contact Colin Haley at 207-286-4990 or at colinhaley@staff.gwi.net.

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Biddeford Internet Corporation d.b.a GWI, a Maine Benefit Corporation, a premier provider in fiber-optic internet service, and the state’s first B Corporation certified Internet Service Provider (ISP), is pleased to announce an investment from Mac Mountain, a privately held Vermont company focused on rural broadband infrastructure, to grow its business: designing, building and operating high-speed, sustainable, fiber-optic networks throughout New England. The investment will give GWI expanded access to resources which will allow for greater systems efficiencies, enhanced customer experience, additional products and ability to leverage marketplace opportunities. This investment gives GWI the financial backing to expand its fiber-optic network footprint to regions where access to reliable broadband is desperately needed.

GWI has been an industry leader in the deployment of broadband networks throughout the State of Maine for nearly 30 years and most recently has assisted multiple Communications Union Districts (CUDs) in Vermont in the development, implementation, and management of their broadband networks. The investment from Mac Mountain unlocks resources to be able to maintain GWI’s current networks and deploy new infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas throughout New England.

“The Mac Mountain investment will be a game-changer in advancing GWI’s mission to provide our customers with the fastest, most reliable internet services available and to protect open access, data privacy and net neutrality,” said Rick Bennett, long-time GWI Director. “This partnership will mean better, more reliable fiber networks in rural Maine that will lead to stronger communities and more jobs.”

“For years, my family has enjoyed all the wonderful benefits of having fiber to the home internet service. Over those years, we also had a front row seat watching GWI perform their work making fiber connections to rural communities. There is no team more dedicated, passionate and capable than GWI, and we are excited to be their partners as they continue to play a key role in one of our country’s most important infrastructure builds, fiber internet in rural America.” said Alex Rozek, Founder of Mac Mountain.

“The agreement with Mac Mountain represents an evolution in the history of GWI and has been several years in the making, allowing GWI to further lean-in to Maine, Vermont and regional opportunities,” stated Kerem Durdag, GWI’s CEO. “My sincerest and deep thanks to the Mac Mountain team for their enormous hard work to date and for joining the entire GWI organization on an exciting journey that will continue to be impactful and make us all proud.”

Mac Mountain would like to thank the team at Broadband Success Partners for their assistance with technical due diligence and network evaluation for this project. Bank Street served as exclusive financial advisor to GWI in connection with this transaction.

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The Northwest Vermont Communications Union District, d/b/a Northwest Fiberworx (NWFX) based in Saint Albans, Vermont, has reached a milestone agreement with the Biddeford Internet Corporation, d/b/a Great Works Internet Vermont (GWI VT) located in South Royalton, Vermont paving the way for 30,000 locations over 22 Northwestern Vermont communities to access a robust, reliable and affordable fiber internet network.

Under the agreement, NWFX will construct, own, maintain, and operate an “open access” fiber optic cable network and associated equipment and facilities. GWI VT will license the network from NWFX. In addition, GWI VT will complete the design and manage the installation and subsequent operation of the network on behalf of NWFX. The network construction will be completed by a third-party installer engaged separately by NWFX with project management by GWI VT.

Formed in 2020, NWFX staff, Governing Board (town/village representatives), the Vermont Community Broadband Board, and select specialized consultants have worked continuously to assemble the many moving parts required to realize our community-owned fiber optic network that prioritizes the unserved in our region. Some of these steps included feasibility studies, accessing and securing funds, high-level network design, procuring equipment and materials, budgeting, scheduling, contracting an ISP partner, and related administrative work to ensure things are done right.

“We are excited to have achieved this milestone for our CUD. The staff and the board worked tirelessly to ensure we selected a partner aligned with our mission and values. GWI understands what is important to us and the communities we represent. We look forward to forging a long relationship as we collaboratively work to build a network and provide universal and affordable service,” says Sean Kio, NWFX Executive Director.

GWI VT is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GWI. GWI is a benefit corporation and was the nation’s first B Corporation Certified broadband carrier. GWI is no stranger to Vermont and the CUD concept, having recently formed GWI Vermont to manage all operating responsibilities of Valley Net — the former ISP founded in Vermont as a non-profit in 1994 and operator of ECFiber since 2008. GWI is also assisting DVFiber with the construction and operation of their network.

“Our commitment to Vermont and our project with NWFX goes far beyond providing better internet for folks’ homes and businesses. Once complete, this next-gen infrastructure will significantly impact the region’s opportunities for economic development, telecommuting and remote work, healthcare, education, agriculture, and public safety,” says Kerem Durdag, GWI VT’s President and COO.

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The Maine Connectivity Authority’s “Reach Me Line Extension Program” has a primary goal to incentivize internet service providers (ISPs) to complete their existing networks by extending service to all unserved locations in their existing service areas. In Paris and West Paris, the funding allows for GWI to build 10 miles of fiber infrastructure, expanding its current footprint from Sumner. The network extension will pass 141 unserved/under-served locations. “This award by Maine Connectivity Authority allows us to continue leaning into our focused work to bring fiber optic high speed broadband to Maine, allowing for the communities to participate in societal and economic development which they deserve,” stated Kerem Durdag, President and COO of GWI. “We move forward in our collaborative journey with citizens to root infrastructure that will have a generational impact.”

In Belfast, the network extension will pass an additional 248 households, totalling 13 miles of infrastructure. Through a trusted partnership between GWI and Arctaris Impact Fund, LP and Arctaris Opportunity Zone Fund, LLC, GWI began building a new network in the western portion of Belfast that is expected to be completed by early 2024. The combination of public investment through “Reach Me” funds and private investment through Arctaris and GWI will enable GWI to build a fiber-optic network in Belfast, passing 2500 locations that previously had little to no reliable internet service.

“What an exciting announcement for Belfast, in our continuing efforts to bring digital equity to the whole community,” stated City Councilor and Broadband Committee Member Mary Mortier. “This important extension will provide direly needed high-speed broadband service of at least 100/100Mbps to the residences and businesses located East of the Passy River in Belfast, who are severely underserved. This will bring our community into the 21st century and allow all our citizens to fully participate in today’s world, whether health, education, entrepreneurial business, banking or any of the day-to-day activities which now demand this connectivity.”

“Ensuring that all citizens and businesses in Belfast have access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet is vital for our community’s economic growth and future prosperity. In Belfast, we have prioritized improving internet connectivity to all residents. Public private partnerships made this project possible, and we are thankful to GWI for this meaningful collaboration with the City of Belfast,” stated City Manager Erin Herbig.

GWI is currently working with the Maine Connectivity Authority to finalize the details of the grant funding and associated vendors for the project. The Company expects to have a project update in the upcoming weeks.

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The project is made possible through a trusted partnership between GWI and Arctaris Impact Fund, LP and Arctaris Opportunity Zone Fund, LLC.  Arctaris is a Boston-based investment firm aimed at growing service in underserved regions.  Arctaris funding will advance  the projects with GWI designing, building, operating, and selling internet services in the region once built.  In total, three towns will include over 4,000 residential and business premises in multiple phases. The network will cover all premises in Millinocket, East Millinocket and Medway.  

The GWI fiber service will deliver an internet experience that will be a vast improvement for the people of the Katahdin region.  Fiber broadband technology is heralded as future-proof in its ability to easily scale and grow with the technological needs of a community, as well as being ultra reliable and resilient. Unlike DSL, copper cable, satellite, or 5G service, fiber will neither degrade over time, nor is it susceptible to service interruptions.  Additionally, speeds will not throttle at peak-usage hours.  GWI’s network speeds are up to a gigabit level, both upload and download currently at its fastest tier with capacity to increase along with consumer demand. Furthermore, the service comes with a speed guarantee, no data caps, and GWI will not resell customer data.  GWI participates in the Federal Communication Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), providing discount-eligible Americans and individuals on qualifying Tribal lands with money off of their internet bills. Lastly, the area will receive GWI’s 24/7/365 live customer support.

“The staff and I at GWI are immeasurably thrilled to be bringing fiber service to our neighbors, colleagues, and friends of the Katahdin region.  We see our service as a great harbinger of economic growth, both as a demographic and socio-economic equalizer when it lands in a region.  When one corner of Maine benefits, we truly all benefit” stated President and COO of GWI, Kerem Durdag.

“Connecting all three towns with fiber has been our goal since 2018,” said Kyle Leathers, President of Katahdin Broadband. “We’re pleased to work with GWI and Arctaris to make this a reality and we look forward to our citizens having more opportunities for employment, education, and telemedicine in the near future.”

GWI has already started the design work and is quickly progressing to construct the network with goals to begin turning up customers in early 2024. Detailed coverage maps will be posted on the GWI website soon.

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The project is made possible through a trusted partnership between GWI and Arctaris Impact Fund, LP and Arctaris Opportunity Zone Fund, LLC. Arctaris is a Boston-based investment firm aimed at growing service in underserved regions. Arctaris funding will advance the project with GWI designing, building, operating, and selling internet services in the region once built. In total, the network will pass over 2,000 premises.

“I have seen firsthand the cost of not having this resource available to students, families, and businesses in our community. Our small businesses have been limited in a changing economy because a poor connection limits their access to new markets – or there is no access at all,” stated City Manager Erin Herbig. “We are grateful to have partnered with GWI and Arctaris on this important project that will positively impact the future of both businesses and families in Belfast.” 

The GWI fiber service will vastly improve the digital lives of the people of Belfast. Fiber broadband technology is heralded as future-proof in its ability to easily scale and grow with the technological needs of a community, as well as being ultra reliable and resilient. Unlike DSL, copper cable, satellite, or 5G service, fiber will neither degrade over time, nor is it susceptible to service interruptions. Additionally, speeds will not throttle at peak-usage hours. GWI’s network speeds are up to a gigabit level, both upload and download currently at its fastest tier with capacity to increase along with consumer demand. Furthermore, the service comes with a speed guarantee, no data caps, and GWI will not resell customer data. GWI participates in the Federal Communication Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), providing discount-eligible Americans and individuals on qualifying Tribal lands with money off of their internet bills. Lastly, the area will receive GWI’s 24/7/365 live customer support.

“The staff and I at GWI are immeasurably thrilled to be bringing fiber service to our neighbors, colleagues, and friends to the Belfast community. We have been collaborating with community leaders over the last couple of years and it is very exciting to see the starting manifestation of hard work and intentionality. To participate in the continuing growth of Belfast, address the needs of its citizens and provide 21st century internet infrastructure that will have generational impact is an honor, ” stated President and COO of GWI, Kerem Durdag.

“It’s very exciting news for the people of Belfast to learn that GWI has the green light to proceed with the Phase 1 build out of ‘Fiber to the Premise’ in Belfast,” stated City Councilor and Broadband Committee member Mary Mortier. “This has been a priority of the Belfast City Council and the Broadband Committee for a number of years. Construction of this fiber-based network will provide reliable, long term internet connectivity to meet the most demanding needs of our community whether individuals, families, entrepreneurs and small or large businesses. We are looking forward to the launch and completion of construction of Phase 1 in 2023 and additional information as it becomes available in the near future. This is very important news for our community and our continuing broad based economic development.”

GWI has already started the design work and is quickly progressing to construct the network with goals to begin offering service to customers in late 2023. Detailed coverage maps will be posted on the GWI website soon.

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The GWI/ValleyNet partnership originally began in 2020 when GWI became the chosen ValleyNet phone provider.  This partnership deepened in June of 2022 when Valleynet announced a restructuring of its management, design, build, and operating services in an expanded partnership with GWI.  Moving forward,  GWI and subsequently GWI Vermont’s tenured knowledge and dedication to operations and support will continue to grow and improve all facets of the ECFiber customer experience. “Having been involved in building ECFiber through ValleyNet since 2007, ECFiber is very important to me and I am pleased that we have found an operator like GWI that shares our dedication to public service to carry on ValleyNet’s work with ECFiber,” stated Stan Williams, co-founder of ECFiber, ValleyNet CFO and former ValleyNet board chair.

GWI Vermont, located in Royalton, Vermont, is heavily focused on building and upgrading ECFiber’s network with continued emphasis on resiliency, reliability, and growing the relationships within the Vermont communities they serve. Similar to its parent company, it is native to GWI Vermont’s DNA that world-class broadband is a crucial component to the broader local economy and the livelihoods of the customers they serve.  Having access to reliable high-speed internet is a requirement for communities to retain and attract population, drive economic development, and spur innovation.  Tom Cecere, General Manager of GWI Vermont, said “The partnership with GWI is the best way for us to further our joint mission of bringing future-proof fiber to all the homes and businesses on the grid in ECFiber’s service area. As we’ve grown to support over 8,000 customers we have learned so much. As internet has become a requirement rather than a “nice to have” we need to bring expertise to the table about network reliability – which is the hallmark of GWI.”

All of ValleyNet’s former employees have accepted the same positions with GWI Vermont and all of ECFiber’s and LymeFiber’s customers will continue to be serviced out of the Royalton, VT office.  “ValleyNet is proud of the homegrown workforce we have developed in Royalton.  In particular, I would note the extraordinary contributions of our longest-tenured employees.  In order to bootstrap ECFiber to a financial position where it could issue municipal revenue bonds in 2016, ValleyNet operated on an extremely tight budget which included salaries and benefits well below industry norms,” noted Williams. “We are proud to continue our relationship with ECFiber’s and LymeFiber’s customer base,” continued Cecere, “since our people have built this network and will now continue to operate it going forward.” He added,  “It is important to us that GWI Vermont is based locally and that the same people who’ve done such a great job so far will continue to support and complete the network going forward.”

“The ECFiber/ValleyNet partnership was extraordinarily effective.” said Fletcher Kittredge, “It took years of hard work by the volunteers at ValleyNet to bootstrap not only a fiber network serving 31 towns, but the CUD model for all Vermont and with national implications. We are honored to be trusted with ValleyNet’s responsibilities and will work hard to validate that trust.”

ECFiber is the trade name of the business which provides internet services to the member towns and border areas of the East Central Vermont Telecommunications District, Vermont’s first CUD. As a municipality, the District has funded the construction of the network by issuing $63.5 million worth of  municipal revenue bonds since its inception in 2015, and has received about $3 million in grants or in-kind from federal and state sources since construction began in 2011 under an interlocal contract among 24 towns. Ownership of the business known as ECFiber is the District’s principal responsibility; under the terms of the operating agreement, the day to day decision making is GWI’s responsibility.

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The speed increase is spawned by GWI’s ongoing network development, rapid expansion into underserved communities, and the growing appetite for faster, more reliable broadband in northern New England. The company is experiencing unprecedented demand for fiber internet access, especially in the advent of the work-from-home era. 

President and COO of GWI, Kerem Durdag stated “I’m truly excited for this speed increase. I passionately believe access to a good internet connection in this day and age is a human right, not a privilege. Access to reliable, high-speed internet makes the world smaller and shrinks our carbon footprint.  We end up driving less the more we are connected online. The internet is no longer just a way to watch cat videos on YouTube at the end of the workday. Though, that’s fun too. Together we will lift underserved communities out of poverty and help grow local economies. The internet is the very backbone of modern civilization leading to a connected society. This isn’t just about increased speed. It’s about making the world a better place for everybody, regardless of race, creed, or socio-economic status.” 

In addition to dramatically improving service for its current customer base, GWI is eagerly working on  launching high-speed fiber internet into underserved areas of Maine and portions of Vermont in the near future. 

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