Billy Adamson scales a communications tower on Thursday, Jan. 7 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Billy Adamson scales a communications tower on Thursday, Jan. 7 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Internet tower construction complete

The borough used CARES Act funds for the project, which aimed to expand internet access

All six communications towers commissioned by the Kenai Peninsula Borough to help expand internet access to rural parts of the peninsula were live as of last Monday.

The Kenai Peninsula specifically allocated $1.2 to $2 million of CARES Act funding for the purpose of improving public access to the internet through tower site development and infrastructure last June, and authorized lease agreements for the project in October.

The borough awarded a grant to SPITwSPOTS, Inc., an Alaska-based internet service provider out of Homer, in August as part of the projects. SPITwSPOTS Chief Operating Officer McKenzie McCarthy said that while the company began conversations about the project immediately, they originally wanted to have it done by the end of December 2020. McCarthy said they faced setbacks such as materials stalling in California due to the COVID-19 pandemic and winter not being their typical construction season.

Five of the six sites, McCarthy said, were completed by Jan. 31. The company came to a separate land lease agreement with the Native Village of Tyonek, for which the borough granted them an extension. McCarthy said Wednesday that they are expecting to come in under budget after the last fiscal report is submitted.

“At the end of the day, I personally feel like the intent that SPITwSPOTS came into this project — an intent to provide improved service in the peninsula — was met,” McKenzie said, adding that he is excited to see what 2021 brings.

Six communications towers were constructed in Bear Creek, Cohoe, Nikiski, Nikolaevsk, Ninilchik and Tyonek.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Jason Criss stands for a photo in Soldotna, Alaska, after being named a qualifier for the Special Olympics USA Games on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna athlete to compete in 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Thousands of athletes from across all 50 states will be competing in 16 sports.

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
HEA opens bids for real property

The deadline to submit bids is 5 p.m. on Aug. 11.

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. (right) attends a change of plea hearing related to the October 2023 fatal shooting of Brianna Hetrick on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at the Homer Courthouse in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Mondragon-Lopez sentenced for death of Homer woman

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. accepted a plea deal in February for the shooting of Brianna Hetrick.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna OKs $395,000 capital plan

This year’s list of capital projects is “nominal compared to some past years,” according to officials.

A map of areas proposed for annexation by the City of Soldotna. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna adds annexation proposal to ballot

The proposed annexation is split across five small areas around the city.

Nets are extended from North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, during the first day of the Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘A really good day’

Kenai River personal use sockeye salmon dipnet fishery opens.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna is seen here on June 1. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough assembly to consider ordinance to increase residential property tax exemption

If approved by voters in October, the ordinance would increase the tax exemption by $25,000.

Vice President Kelly Cooper speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough considers seasonal sales tax rate

Borough sales tax would be modified from a flat 3% to a seasonal model of 4% in summer months and 2% in winter months.

Most Read