A long-standing gap in rural internet access is narrowing in Steuben County, where nearly 2,000 additional homes and businesses now have access to high-speed fiber service following a major infrastructure buildout.
Empire Fiber Internet announced this week that its latest expansion project is complete, extending service to residents in Avoca, Birdseye Hollow, Caton, Hornby, Howard, and Savona.
The project marks a significant step in the county’s push to improve broadband access in underserved areas, a priority that local leaders tied to federal pandemic-era funding. County officials said the investment connects thousands of previously unserved households, opening the door to more reliable access for work, education, and everyday online needs.
Company CEO Kevin Dickens framed the expansion as both an infrastructure milestone and a community investment, noting the provider’s local roots in Steuben County. He said the project is aimed at improving access to opportunities while supporting how residents live and work in an increasingly digital economy.
County Manager Jack Wheeler said the expansion reflects a broader strategy set in motion when Steuben County received American Rescue Plan Act funding in 2021. Lawmakers identified rural broadband as a top priority for those dollars, leading to partnerships designed to close long-standing service gaps across the region.
For residents, the impact is immediate. Local households that previously struggled with unreliable or unavailable internet service can now access high-speed connections capable of supporting remote work, virtual learning, and streaming.
Beyond infrastructure, the company is also tying its growth to workforce development efforts. Representatives plan to participate in a career day at Prattsburgh Elementary School in May, giving students hands-on exposure to fiber technology and related careers.
Education partners say those efforts are part of a longer track record of involvement in local career programming, including job shadowing and interview preparation, aimed at building a pipeline for future workers in technical fields.
Empire Fiber Internet said the newly expanded network delivers symmetrical upload and download speeds and is designed to meet long-term demand as technology needs evolve.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].