Dear Butts County Leadership,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Sergio Barber-Loera, and I am a resident of Jenkinsburg, Georgia, as well as a U.S. Army war veteran. I am reaching out to bring to your attention a critical issue affecting our community: the lack of reliable high-speed internet access.

Jenkinsburg is surrounded by areas benefiting from Central Georgia EMC’s fiber-optic internet services. Yet, within our town, we remain isolated and underserved. While we rely on Georgia Power for our electricity, the territorial distinction between Georgia Power and Central Georgia EMC leaves Jenkinsburg at a significant disadvantage when it comes to broadband access. This outdated division deprives our community of opportunities for equitable digital access.

This lack of connectivity impacts every aspect of our lives. For students, it limits access to essential educational resources. For professionals like myself who work remotely, it reduces our competitiveness in an increasingly digital workforce. Even for day-to-day communication and services, unreliable internet creates constant barriers.

To address this, I believe we need a coordinated, county-wide effort. Below are suggestions for how each of you can contribute to resolving this issue:

Brad Johnson (County Manager) and J. Michael Brewer (Deputy County Manager): Advocate at the state level for changes to the territorial division between power providers to ensure internet infrastructure expansion in underserved areas like Jenkinsburg.
Morgan Morris (Communications Director): Coordinate with Central Georgia EMC and other potential providers to bring attention to Jenkinsburg's need for fiber and provide regular updates to the community.
Brad Vaughan (Planning & Development Director): Assess infrastructure readiness in Jenkinsburg and explore opportunities to facilitate partnerships with providers to expand fiber access.
Rhonda Blissit (Chief Financial Officer): Identify funding mechanisms, including grants or budget allocations, to support infrastructure improvements.
Sheriff Gary Long (Sheriff’s Office) and Sonia Sands (E911 Director): Highlight how reliable internet is critical for emergency response and public safety operations.
Glen Goens (Emergency Management Director): Advocate for robust connectivity as a matter of public safety and disaster preparedness.
Joey Lowe (Public Works): Assist in identifying existing county infrastructure that could facilitate fiber expansion, such as utility poles or easements.
The residents of Jenkinsburg are not asking for special treatment; we are asking for fairness and equal opportunity to access the same resources available to our neighboring communities.

I urge each of you to take action and collaborate with state and local leaders, Central Georgia EMC, and Georgia Power to address this issue. Together, we can create a solution that ensures Jenkinsburg's families, students, and professionals have the tools they need to succeed in today’s world.

Thank you all for your attention and dedication to our county. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this further and assist in any way to bring high-speed internet to Jenkinsburg. Please feel free to contact me at the information below.