Photo left to right: Hardeman County School Board Member Gene Ross, David Harrod of Aeneas, Tony Kirk, Hardeman County Schools Chairman Bobby Henderson, and Hardeman County Director of Schools Dr. Christy Smith.

Helping Bring Broadband

The Hardeman County Schools pitched in with Bolivar Energy Authority and Aeneas’ fiber project by donating $250,000 to the cause on June 1.

“The onset of the pandemic and distance learning made us quickly recognize the need for widespread broadband service,” began Hardeman County Schools Superintendent Dr. Christy Smith. “With our county being rural and lacking in service options, we were already exploring how to bring internet to as many students as possible. We had partnered with other entities through grants that gave hot spots to many students. However, that was not a permanent solution.  Within the last two years, several options had been discussed that would provide very limited service availability. When BEA announced the partnership with Aeneas, which would service the majority of the district, we felt this was something that would benefit a large majority of our students, employees, and stakeholders.”

BEA and Aeneas had previously announced they would work together to bring fiber to all customers within the BEA service area.

“Bolivar Energy Authority’s goal is to partner with Aeneas Corporation to bring high speed reliable internet to our customers in Hardeman County” said Tony Kirk, President/CEO of BEA back in February. “It is a needed service for our country if we are to expect any growth and broaden opportunities for our citizens. The partnership with the Hardeman County Board of Education will enable us to better provide this much needed service to our students and their families. BEA appreciates the monetary support the Board of Education has given us, and we look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring for the future of Hardeman County.”