Fiber optic cable for Fort Scott; Representatives from several different entities begin discussions with Cox

Representatives from several local entities began discussions Thursday afternoon about bringing fiber optic cable and Internet to Fort Scott.

Casey Russell, director of information technology at Fort Scott Community College, led the gathering in the Heritage Room of FSCC in which representatives from the city of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Fort Scott Community College, Mercy Heath Center and RTS Electronics discussed with Cox Communications representatives their collective interest having fiber optic Internet cables installed here.

Russell said he and Shane Walker, with Bourbon County, have been working toward the same goal for a while now.

"We've been working toward the same goals ... and that's higher speed Internet for the larger entities in the community," Russell said.

Russell added the desire work with Cox Communications came from the lack of customer service with AT&T, as well as the citizens' displeasure with SuddenLink. Walker agreed stating that because there is no competition in the area, the companies have driven up the prices to where they are "ridiculous." Walker said the county pays about $25,000 each year for its data services.

RTS Electronics officials will be contacting their customers in the area to find out which businesses would be interested in pursuing the technology upgrade and possibly sharing in the cost. Currently, Cox Communications has a fiber optic line that runs to about one mile outside of Fort Scott, however, there is currently no location to branch off into the city.

The topic of also including digital cable and telephone services in the package was discussed, but the city is currently about three years into a 10-year franchise agreement with SuddenLink. City officials said they will look into what it would take to get out of the contract.

The group will meet again at 2 p.m., Friday, June 10, to consolidate information regarding the amount of interest in the community and possible grant opportunities. Once the information is brought together, it will be placed on a map to show where the areas of interest are located and the map will be passed on to Cox Communications.

From that map, Cox will then present a cost of what it would take to move into Fort Scott.