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Fiber optic cable to boost business to downtown Victor

Fiber optic cable to boost business to downtown Victor

Victor’s Main Street is about to get an invisible, but very powerful boost. The City of Victor has been awarded an Idaho Department of Commerce Gem Grant, for which it partnered with Silver Star Communications, to put down one mile of fiber optic cable in the Main Street downtown core, on both sides of the street. Fiber will also extend one block west to the historic train depot building.

“Economic development was the primary motivation behind applying for this grant, giving Victor the broadband infrastructure and access to cutting edge broadband technology desirable to attract and retain businesses,” said Victor Planning Administrator Brittany Skelton.

Silver Star Communications partnered with the City of Victor on the grant application, originally requesting $47,876 in grant funding, with a 20 percent in-kind match by Silver Star. When the State awarded less than what was requested, Silver Star bridged the gap, raising their match value to closer to 30 percent.   

“Silver Star is committed to continually upgrading our network and providing the communities we serve with the best communications technology to support economic development,” said Ron McCue, President of Silver Star. “This project is right in line with that objective and we are delighted to be partnering with the City of Victor.”

Fiber is considered the best method for delivery of high bandwidth applications, such as the Internet, needed for the vast amount of digital data in today’s world. Considered the most robust delivery infrastructure available, fiber provides for speeds beyond other delivery methods.  

Engineering for the project is already underway with construction expected to start in early August. The trenching required to lay the fiber will occur along city easements within city blocks, not in the roadway, reported Skelton.

After the backbone of the fiber is laid, business owners can contact Silver Star for information on how to get their buildings connected. More information about connecting will be available once the time draws closer.