Columbia Standard

Lessons taught by the still ongoing pandemic is part of the reason why Lower Richland will soon gain broadband internet access, according to Richland County Council Chairperson Paul Livingston.

The broadband extension in Richland County is part of a $12 million investment by St. Matthews-based Tri-County Electric Cooperative as well as a more favorable tax agreement with the county, according to a county news release.

"We are excited to see Tri-County investing in Richland County to provide more residents with access to broadband internet," Livingston said in the release. "The COVID-19 pandemic taught us the importance of having broadband connectivity, and this project will help our community stay better connected."

Tri-County Electric CEO Chad Lowder | facebook.com/SCPowerTeam

Livingston has represented Richland County District 4 for more than 25 years.

Tri-County Electric Cooperative invest will expand broadband service into parts of Lower Richland that have never had high-speed internet access, according to the release. 

Tri-County Electric's service expansion in Richland County is expected to include laying fiber optic cable throughout Lower Richland, work that would enable the company to provide broadband to the largely rural community at competitive prices.

The project is moving ahead following approval by Richland County Council on Dec. 7 if a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement with Tri-County Electric to provide a more favorable property tax rate over a 30-year period.

During the meeting, the Richland County Council approved a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement with Tri-County Electric that will provide a more favorable property tax rate over a 30-year period, according to the release.

"We're proud to make this investment in Richland County to provide broadband to previously underserved areas," Tri-County Electric CEO Chad Lowder said. "This is a further commitment from Tri-County and its leadership team to provide essential services to citizens in our service territory."

Tri-County Electric is a member-owned electric utility that serves Calhoun, Kershaw, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland and Sumter counties. 

Tri-County Electric's Richland County office is at 11335 Garners Ferry Road in Eastover.