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

A towering Lutz spruce, center, in the Chugach National Forest is about to be hoisted by a crane Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015, for transport to the West Lawn of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to be the 2015 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service)
Tongass National Forest selected to provide 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

Eight to 10 candidate trees will be evaluated, with winner taking “whistlestop tour” to D.C.

A slash pile containing non-organic construction debris is seen at the Snug Harbor Slash Disposal site on Sept. 22, 2020, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Land Management)
Assembly OKs concrete lease in Cooper Landing

The vote came amid widespread community opposition to the agreement

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Children hunt for Easter eggs during the Easter Eggstravaganza at Nikiski Community Recreation Center on Saturday.
Easter eggs, bunnies arrive on the Kenai Peninsula

There are plenty of opportunities to grab a photo with the Easter bunny or seek out some eggs

Flier for Bear Awareness and Electric Fencing Workshops. (Provided by Defenders of Wildlife)
Local workshops to focus on managing bear attractants, electric fencing

The series will run Monday through Friday, April 1-5, in Hope, Seward, Kenai, Soldotna and Homer

A person walks up the steps of the Alaska Capitol, Jan. 16, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Some KPBSD schools could benefit from internet bill passed by House

If House Bill 193 becomes law, an additional six KPBSD schools would be eligible for the state’s grant program

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A veterinarian with Greater Good Charities escorts dog Maggie into a free spay/neuter clinic at the Moose Pass Fire Station on Thursday.
Moose Pass rallies behind free spay and neuter clinic

The clinic was put on by Greater Good Charities Good Fix program

Signage marks the entrance to Nikiski Middle/High School on Monday, May 16, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski student arrested after school shooting threats

The juvenile student faces charges of terroristic threatening

Armageddon waits to be shown at the Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Bjorkman farm tax relief bill clears Senate

The bill is now up for consideration in the House

Most Read