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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Central Alabama Electric Cooperative (CAEC) recently provided a progress update for its fiber internet expansion by its subsidiary Central Access that is ongoing in Chilton County. CAEC was awarded seven grants in April 2024 totaling $22.9 million to go towards fiber expansion projects in Autauga, Chilton, Coosa and Elmore Counties with a majority of the work happening in Chilton County. CAEC received an eighth grant for $2.28 million later in 2024 as well.

Central Access internet coverage covers areas in Chilton County that are outside of city limits in more rural areas. The recent expansion is bringing internet coverage to certain residents inside city limits across the county in Clanton, Jemison, Maplesville and Thorsby, and there are spots down U.S. Highway 31 in Verbena where expansion is happening as well. The expansion is bringing the best connectivity for residents with fiber to the premises connection, which means residents will have fiber connectivity all the way into their businesses or homes. As of the update provided by CAEC on Jan. 27, there are currently over 5,300 active Central Access internet subscribers in Chilton County.

“We have customers on the east and west sides of Clanton, Jemison, Thorsby as well as some other areas in Chilton County,” Chris Montgomery, Vice President of Central Access, said in the update press release. “These grants have allowed us to fill in service gaps and provide great service to new customers, and they have helped to make our network stronger.”

The expansion covers areas that are outside of the cooperative’s current service footprint and into areas where Alabama Power customers are. After the expansion is complete, it is expected that 6,400 homes and businesses will gain high-speed internet service in Chilton County.

The update press release said that construction is ongoing in areas of Clanton (Grant Zone 6) and Jemison (Grant Zone 1) which did not have service options from CAEC previously. Construction in Jemison began in the summer of 2024, and as of December 2024, expansion work is almost complete in the area. Construction in Thorsby (Grant Zone 2) and Verbena (Grant Zone 7) is currently in progress with completion anticipated in Thorsby by the end of quarter 1 2025, and for Verbena in early quarter 2 2025. When expansion was first announced, a two-year timeline was expected for the projects.

“When all of the Central Access areas are combined with the other providers in the northwest and northeast corners of the county, almost 94% of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) address points in Chilton County will have service available,” said Montgomery. “Between the grant areas currently under construction and the areas that already have service, Central Access will provide fiber optic internet service to 75% of Chilton County.”

Residents can find updates, answers to frequently asked questions and enter their address to see if it falls within one of the expansion zones at www.centralaccess.com.