Monahans welcomes high speed internet access

High speed internet access has arrived in Monahans.

Monahans Chamber Executive Director Teresa Burnett has worked to bring high speed internet to her community for the last seven years, according to a report by CBS7.

On April 20, 2023, the Monahans Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate new broadband internet service in the community provided by Hosted America.

Phase 1 of the project is complete, “which includes a map of broadband service availability that covers the whole east side of town,” according to a report by Connected Nation, a national organization that worked with Monahans officials on the local project, which aims to close the digital divide in the community. “Residents and businesses are expected to see strong connectivity in that area in the next 45 to 60 days,” the report stated, adding, “After Phase 1 is complete, Ward County will pursue funding to begin phase 2.”

The service won’t just be more reliable. It will also cost “substantially less than what residents are paying now,” Hosted America Founder and CEO Phillip Watkins told CBS7.

Burnett worked with other leaders to raise funds for the projects. Among the project’s investors were View Capital Advisors, which reportedly provided about $5 million to the project, Jeff Rupp, managing partner at View Capital, told CBS7. Rupp said that high speed internet is a vital resource for education and businesses, while Burnett added it will attract new businesses. In 2020, Chevron’s Mid-Continent Business Unit (MCBU) donated $50,000 toward the project, with Jonathan Harshman, Chevron MCBU public and government affairs advisor, noting the need for this access was highlighted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about the Monahans Chamber of Commerce, visit its website here. Follow the Chamber on Facebook here.