CURRENT LINES APRIL 2021 THIS MONTH’S NEWS • Rural Broadband Internet, page 1 & 2 • Operation Roundup Grants, page 3 • Fiber Contractors In Your Area, page 4 • Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork, page 4 • Statement of Nondiscrimination, page 4
CO-OP INTRODUCES RURAL BROADBAND INTERNET PROJECT Efforts to provide needed high-speed internet service to Georgians took a step forward when Gov. Brian Kemp and PSC Commissioner Tim Echols assisted Tri-County EMC in making an important announcement. Governor Kemp announced the formation of a new broadband provider in Middle Georgia, Tri-CoGo, which will provide high-speed internet service to 22,000 homes and businesses in eight counties including Baldwin, Bibb, Jasper, Jones, Morgan, Putnam, Twiggs and Wilkinson.
“Today’s broadband announcement by Tri-County EMC is another exciting step toward securing greater opportunities for hardworking Georgians through expanded internet access,” said Gov. Kemp. “Broadband access is critical to economic growth, better educational outcomes, and access to quality healthcare. Our EMCs are critical partners in that fight, and thanks to the passage and signing of Senate Bill 2 in 2019, they are empowered to work with the communities they serve on projects like this that lessen the digital divide in rural Georgia. I’m honored to be part of this announcement and will continue working with leaders across our state to increase broadband access and ensure a brighter future for all Georgians – no matter their zip code.” Continued on Page 2 Governor Brian Kemp accepts a Tri-CoGo t-shirt from Greg Mullis, COO of Tri-CoGo
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BROADBAND Continued from Page 1 The project will include a capital investment of more than $47 million by Tri-County EMC to build a fiber network that will provide enhanced reliability and operational services for its electric customers while providing excess fiber capacity that will be leased to the cooperative’s broadband affiliate, Tri-CoGo, which will provide the broadband service. “Today is truly an exciting day for our cooperative,” said Tri-County EMC CEO Ray Grinberg. “For our members and our community, today marks the beginning of a digital revolution. Regardless of location across our service territory, every member of Tri-County EMC will soon be able to receive high-speed internet.” “Accessing high-speed broadband is incredibly important for rural businesses and families especially in the COVID era,” said PSC Commissioner Tim Echols. “As a utility regulator and father of seven, I’ve tried to make it easier for EMCs to engage and play a role in expanding broadband and reaching unserved and underserved areas.” Tri-County EMC is constructing the network with the assistance of Conexon, a rural fiber engineering consultant. Conexon works exclusively with electric cooperatives and is considered one of the pioneers in the electric cooperative broadband movement. Fiber construction is expected to begin by May 2021 and service to service to the first zone of customers will begin by late summer. Construction of the fiber network will be complete in two years, and all Tri-County EMC members should have access to internet services with Tri-CoGo within four years, as service drops are constructed. Available services will include 100 Mbps, Gigabit and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone service for residential and commercial customers. The subsidiary was awarded approximately $1.1 million in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase 1 Auction in late 2020 to provide gigabit service to 2,923 unserved locations within the cooperative service area. “I firmly believe that high speed internet will be a catalyst for economic development, just like rural electrification,” commented Greg Mullis, Chief Operating Officer for Tri-CoGo. “Access to one hundred percent fiber, high-speed internet for every member of Tri-County EMC may certainly have the largest impact on business development and quality of life since we brought electricity to rural middle-Georgia in 1939.” Tri-County EMC members interested in internet or phone service are encouraged to visit the newly created subsidiary’s website at connect.tri-cogo.com. Members can search by address to get detailed information about buildout schedules, simple and competitive pricing plans and pre-register for service. (66675001) FOLLOW TRI-COGO ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM FOR UPDATES!
“Access to one hundred percent fiber, high-speed internet for every member of Tri-County EMC may certainly have the largest impact on business development and quality of life since we brought electricity to rural middle-Georgia in 1939.” Greg Mullis, COO Tri-CoGo
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TRI-COUNTY EMC FOUNDATION GRANTS $23,273 IN MARCH In March 2021, the Tri-County EMC Foundation Board approved grants for 12 projects, totaling $23,273 in Operation Roundup funds, to benefit organizations or individuals in local communities. (76402001) ANGEL HOUSE OF GEORGIA: $3,400 for two women from the Tri-County EMC service area to participate in a substance abuse recovery program BOY SCOUT TROOP 132: $1,000 to purchase gear for a scout troop in Putnam County HADDOCK BAPTIST CHURCH: $3,000 to purchase the materials to construct wheelchair ramps for two individuals in need in Jones County JONES COUNTY FAMILY CONNECTION: $2,000 in funds to purchase mesh bookbags as part of a school supply giveaway for students in need in the Jones County School System GREATER MILLEDGEVILLE YOUNG LIFE: $2,500 to purchase food and clothing to be distributed to low income families in Baldwin and Putnam Counties OPERATION APPRECIATION: $2,500 for programming to benefit military and veteran families from the Tri-County EMC service area OVERVIEW, INC.: $2,500 to purchase food for food distribution boxes to go to low-income families in Baldwin County PUTNAM COMMUNITY RESOURCES: $2,500 to purchase food for a food bank in Putnam County PUTNAM CHRISTIAN OUTREACH: $2,000 to purchase school supplies for Pre-K teachers in Putnam County
ABOUT OPERATION ROUNDUP:
Greater Milledgeville Young Life received a grant to purchase food and clothing to be distribute to low income families this spring.
PUTNAM COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT: $2,100 to purchase fire prevention education materials THE CANCER FOUNDATION: $1,500 to assist two cancer patients with living expenses and transportation costs to treatments ZION COVENANT FELLOWSHIP: $2,874.17 funds to complete needed home repairs for two individuals in Putnam County
NEXT GRANT ACCOUNT APPLICATION NUMBER DEADLINE: 6.1.21 Call us at 478.986.8126 to claim your credit.
Operation Roundup is funded by voluntary contributions from TriCounty members to the Tri-County EMC Foundation. Participants have their monthly bill rounded up to the next dollar, with that surplus amount going to fund Operation Roundup. Any non-profit, civic, religious or government organization located within TriCounty’s eight county service area are eligible to receive funding. Did you find your account number? Find your Applications must be for special needs or projects. Applications complete account number inside parentheses in can be found on our website at tri-countyemc.com/operationthis issue of Current Lines for a $50 bill credit. round-up.cms or mailed upon request by calling 478.986.8126.
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RECIPE BOX SLOW COOKER PULLED BBQ PORK
CONTRACTORS IN YOUR AREA Over the next few months, there will be several contractors in your area readying our power poles for broadband service and installing fiber lines for Tri-CoGo. Please be aware of their logos below and that they may be working in your area. (83805002)
INGREDIENTS • • • • • •
1 (2.5-pound) boneless pork loin roast, trimmed of fat 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar 2 teaspoons liquid smoke 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup barbecue sauce, or more to taste
DIRECTIONS Place pork in slow cooker and add vinegar, liquid smoke, garlic powder and salt. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours. Remove pork from slow cooker place it in a large dish. Reserve liquid from cooker and set aside. Using 2 forks, shred pork and place back in slow cooker with about 3/4 of reserved liquid and the barbecue sauce. Cook on high 1 additional hour and serve. Serves 8.
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online here, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter by US Mail to US Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.
ACCOUNT NUMBER
Did you find your Tri-County EMC account number? Three random account numbers are hidden in each issue of Current Lines. Find your complete account number inside parentheses in this issue of Current Lines for a $50 bill credit. Call us at 478.986.8126 to claim your credit. Ray Grinberg, CEO
Owned By Those We Serve This recipe is courtesy of UGA Health Services. Did you know your recipe is worth $20 if chosen? Send your best recipes to kimb@tri-countyemc.com or mail to P.O. Box 487, Gray, GA 31032.
P.O. Box 487 Gray, GA 31032 478.986.8100 www.tri-countyemc.com *Tri-County EMC is an equal opportunity provider and employer*
Board of Directors Brenda P. Green, Chairman Sammy Hall, Vice-Chairman Thomas Noles, Secretary/Treasurer George “Buck” Comer, Dan Greene, Chap Nelson, Marion Nelson, Cecil Patterson, Mike Rainey
CURRENTLINES
Monthly Publication for Tri-County EMC Members