FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Mary Ellen Reis Development and Outreach Coordinator St.

Johnsbury Athenaeum 1171 Main St. St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 Phone: 802-748-8291, ext. 306 Email: mreis@stjathenaeum.org Website: www.stjathenaeum.org Date: January 25, 2013

INCREASED BROADBAND SERVICE FOR ST. JOHNSBURY ATHENAEUM

St. Johnsbury, Vermont The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum is working with Vermont FiberConnect to bring increased broadband capabilities. Vermont FiberConnect is a publicprivate partnership and project between the Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) and Sovernet Communications. The $33.4 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program will allow Sovernet to develop, own, maintain, and operate a 773 mile fiber-optic middle mile network in southern, central, and northeastern Vermont. The project will connect over 340 community anchor institutions in the project area, encompassing seven of Vermont's fourteen counties. The project will provide data transport services up to 1 GBPS. The upgrade for the Athenaeum is scheduled for late Spring 2013. This award represents significant support and partnership from the following: State of Vermont Office of the CIO, Department of Education and supervisory unions, Vermont State Colleges, Vermont Law School, Department of Public Safety, Department of Libraries, the New England Telehealth Consortium and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. For additional information, visit www.vermontfiberconnect.com.
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