Windstream, Georgia Electric Co-Op Partner on $39 Million Public-Private Partnership

Windstream, Colquitt Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) and Lowndes County (GA), are teaming up on a $39 million public-private partnership to bring broadband to about 16,000 locations in the county. Windstream is contributing about $17.6 million. The other $21.7 million is funded through the Georgia State Fiscal Recovery Fund and the county. Windstream will handle cost overruns. The project, which will provide multi-gigabit service to users, will include 806 miles of fiber. It is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Windstream and Colquitt EMC began partnering in 2019 when the Georgia State Legislature passed a law allowing EMCs to provide broadband to underserved and unserved areas. At that time, Colquitt EMC contacted broadband providers to work through the best ways in which they could cooperate.