East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative invited state senators and representatives for an afternoon of celebration at their newly expanded headquarters in Okmulgee Friday.
The expansion project began in August 2021 as the result of the rapid growth of East Central’s fiber broadband subsidiary ecoLINK.
Construction of ecoLINK fiber began in March 2019, and by August 2022, ecoLINK reached a milestone of over 10,000 connections.
East Central embarked upon the facility expansion to accommodate the increase in employees and warehousing required to complete the ecoLINK fiber project over two years ahead of schedule. The building expansion was completed under budget and in less time than projected.
In addition to those elected officials present, Jim Meek, member of the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board, spoke during the luncheon about the State of Oklahoma’s goal to serve 95 percent of Oklahoma with adequate broadband internet by June of 2028.
“I’ve talked to many telecom companies that have said they need state support to make a profit providing quality broadband service to rural areas at the end of the line,” Meek said. “I hold East Central and ecoLINK up as an example to the state. If you can provide quality internet connection in Hichita, Oklahoma, or out by Dripping Springs Lake, it’s possible to reach everyone in the state.”
In his capacity as a Director of The Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Meek also presented an award to East Central General Manager Tim Smith, “for his efforts in rural economic development through expansion of broadband internet services in Okmulgee County.”
Following the presentation, elected officials, the East Central Board of Trustees, members of the East Central staff and representatives of PARIC Construction gathered to celebrate East Central and ecoLINK’s accomplishments with a ribbon cutting for the new facility.
