News Summary
Residents of Pomaria, S.C. are dismayed after the cancellation of a federal broadband grant intended to improve internet access in their community. The grant was part of the Biden Administration’s Infrastructure Bill, aimed at connecting rural areas to high-speed internet. However, the grant’s termination, due to claims of violating constitutional principles related to racial preferences, has left the community struggling with limited connectivity, impacting education and communication efforts.
Pomaria, S.C. – Residents of the small town of Pomaria in Newberry County are expressing deep frustration following the cancellation of a federal broadband grant that was intended to enhance internet access in their community. The grant was part of the Biden Administration’s Infrastructure Bill, aimed at connecting rural areas to high-speed internet. However, the grant’s future was jeopardized after the previous Trump administration challenged its legality, claiming it violated constitutional principles related to racial preferences.
The decision to terminate the grant was communicated to Pastor Michele Fischer of Pomaria Lutheran Church, who received a letter indicating that the funding was discontinued due to allegations of unconstitutionality. The federal government argued that the grants provided under the Digital Equity Capacity Program included unacceptable racial preferences, which triggered the abrupt termination of funds.
The Digital Equity Capacity Program was designed specifically to expand internet access in underserved areas, making its cancellation a significant setback for communities like Pomaria. This decision has directly impacted residents who rely on reliable and fast internet for education, work, and communication. Currently, the main internet service provider, T-Mobile, has reached a capacity threshold in Pomaria, severely limiting access for users in the community.
For many residents, the ramifications of poor internet connectivity extend beyond simple inconvenience. Long-time resident Tarry Long highlighted his experiences paying over $130 per month for a satellite internet service that did not meet modern standards. He described the service as slow, often comparable to dial-up, and noted the frustrations associated with bandwidth limitations and penalties imposed for exceeding data usage caps.
The implications of the broadband grant cancellation have prompted discussion about the impact of internet access on Pomaria’s diverse community. Resident Tenetha Hall expressed concern, drawing parallels between the current situation and historical struggles around racial inequity. She emphasized the importance of equitable access to technology for the children’s future in their community.
Mayor Darryl Hentz acknowledged the town’s struggles in securing fiber-optic connections and pointed out that Pomaria is surrounded by areas that do have this technology. He indicated that local cooperatives may help in expanding internet access, but raised concerns about the lack of commitment from Dominion Energy, the local service provider, regarding broadband connectivity enhancements for the town.
The fact that Pomaria lies in close proximity to fiber-optic infrastructure, yet remains without access, intensifies the residents’ frustrations as they continue to wait for effective solutions for reliable internet connectivity. While local leaders are exploring possible alternatives, many community members express urgency in resolving connectivity issues that are essential for engaging with the digital world.
Efforts to receive feedback or explanations from the agency responsible for canceling the grant were unsuccessful prior to the reporting deadline. With growing demand for high-speed internet, the cancellation of the broadband grant has illuminated the significant challenges faced by residents in Pomaria as they seek to navigate an increasingly connected world.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Pomaria broadband grant canceled
- Wikipedia: Broadband in the United States
- WLTX: Pomaria’s broadband hopes dashed
- Google Search: broadband equity
- WLTX: Federal broadband grant controversy
- Google Scholar: digital equity broadband
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Internet
Author: STAFF HERE NEWBERRY
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