The Town of Columbus, in partnership with the Village of Sherburne, is in line to receive state funding that will drastically improve availability of reliable high-speed internet access to homes and businesses within the township. (File photo)

COLUMBUS – Businesses and residences in the Town of Columbus have been hindered by bad internet for years, but a new state-run program could tentatively see high-speed broadband to nearly every part of the township over the next two years.

Columbus is earmarked for funds through the New York ConnectALL initiative, a state-wide effort that seeks to build digital infrastructure and internet access in all regions. While not a done deal, funds awarded could potentially allow the township to run fiber optic cable on existing utility poles to provide broadband internet access to homes and businesses.

“Every road will have fiber on it. Part of the project was to leave no dead spots,” said Columbus Town Supervisor Diane Scalzo. “What does this mean for Columbus? It means everything. It’s our opportunity to join the 21st century in 2024.”

Scalzo said the project would allow Columbus to tap into amenities enabled by reliable high-speed internet, including educational opportunities, telemedicine, business growth, work from home, and even agriculture.

“We have been underserved or unserved by Frontier (Communications) for a long time. I’ve never had a single constituent tell me that they love the DSL that Frontier has or that they think it’s appropriately priced,” she said. “At my house, I’m paying for 75 megabits; but on a good day, I’m getting maybe 2.47. We really have no access to the internet with DSL.”