Experts say future of technology is in West Tenn.’s fiber
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JACKSON, Tenn. — The Jackson Energy Authority said the Hub City has the potential to be the center of a technology expansion that could affect a major area of West Tennessee. Getting plugged into technology has become one of the most important components for economic growth across the country, and the Hub City said they have that plug. “West Tennessee has a unique opportunity to partner with Jackson to take advantage for what has become a competitive necessity for all cities in America,” Bill Wallace said with U.S. Ignite, an organization which helps communities understand the value of fiber technology. West Tennesseans listened to presentations Monday afternoon about fiber technology, the fastest way of connecting to millions of resources online. “You don’t want to wait until somebody comes in and wants the technology. You want to have it before they get there,” Dinah Harris said, who is the director the Jackson-Madison County Library. Harris said the library is already using this advanced technology, and it will soon take off when the city upgrades to a gigabyte. More than a decade ago, the Jackson Energy Authority invested $70 million into a fiber hub. Now, the entire West Tennessee region can connect to it. “There are communities right around Jackson that have dial-up and satellite, and how that in equity really impacts the quality of life for citizens in those communities,” Deb Socia said, who represents Next Century Cities. Fiber experts said the benefits of this technology are endless, and it goes beyond technology-based industries. “There seems to be a very strong manufacturing base, services base, construction services, healthcare, and education,” Wallace explained. The benefits include remote teaching, being able to give a diagnosis from home, and countless benefits for local business. JEA officials said they will continue meeting with other cities about how they can create networks which will plug into the fiber hub.
