BalsamWest FiberNet held a celebration last week for the connection of the Tri-State Southern Appalachian region with major metropolitan areas through an ultra-high-speed fiber optic network. The celebration marked the end of a seven-year project to connect the mountainous region with the world.

While the impetus came from Western North Carolina, the line travels through part of the Copper Basin, McCaysville and other points in Georgia. Nearly 300 people from the three states and others turned out for the celebration. Among those from Tennessee were Copperhill Council member John Blankenship, businessman Ferris Maloof and Joe Guthrie with the Southeast Local Development Corporation.

Speakers repeatedly used the work “remarkable” in talking abut the project, which was done entirely with private funding. They spoke of the benefits to rural schools in North Carolina, hospitals and businesses wanting to have broadband access to the Internet. The 250+ miles of fiber optic cable are all located underground in the rugged terrain. Funding for the $13 million project came from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Drake Enterprises of Franklin NC. They founded BalsamWest in 2003 as a broadband player to serve the needs of the Tri-State region.

The 235 mile loop of cable goes from Sylva, NC to Blairsville and Blue Ridge GA to Copperhill and Ducktown, TN and back through Cherokee County to Sylva. Gary Smith with BalsamWest spoke to the Copperhill City Council in late 2005 to explain the project and seek a utility easement.

Smith explained that BalsamWest does not provide telephone, cable or Internet service. Its goal is to provide the fiber optic cable for other companies to lease. “My boss says we’re just building a big dumb pipe for others to use.” He noted they already have an agreement with BellSouth to use the fiber optic cable and is negotiating with others. BalsamWest has worked directly to provide fiber optics to major industries, banks wanting a high-speed network between branches, and hospitals needing to connect to one another for almost instant transfer of information. He added they try to get the cable close to hospitals, fire departments and schools so they can have access. Local loops are built in the towns the line goes through.

The idea is to provide the missing link between local telephone lines and the national fiber optic networks. The new network will make it possible for big businesses and small entrepreneurs to set up shop in a rural area and still have access to the big cities. Consultant Mark Burkell said it’s a way to bring outsourcing back to America. “You have the backbone for 21st Century technology in Appalachia, he told the crowd last week, “something others are trying hard to get. Hands down, the best in class is right here.” Phil Drake of Drake Enterprises said “Western North Carolina doesn’t end in Asheville any more. This region will be second to none in electronic commerce and electronic education.” A representative of Congressman Heath Shuler said the project is “empowering our communities.”

Several speakers who have been involved from the beginning recalled being told “It couldn’t be done.” The celebration was their proof that it could be done.