Dryden awarded close to $9 million for Dryden Fiber project

A New York state grant was recently awarded to the town of Dryden that will help to expand service for Dryden Fiber in the area and beyond.

Officials announced on June 24 that the town had won an $8.9 million grant from the state’s ConnectALL Office’s Municipal Infrastructure program. The grant will help Dryden Fiber reach other parts of Dryden and into the town of Caroline.

The state program was established through President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. With assistance from Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Dryden Fiber is the only municipality-owned and operated internet service provider in the state.

“This is a big win for the residents of Dryden and Caroline, who have lacked adequate internet access for too long,” said town of Dryden Deputy Supervisor Dan Lamb. “In this increasingly digital age, we must advance digital equity, so the benefits of broadband are offered to everyone. We want to show municipalities elsewhere that there is a better way for residents to get affordable service. Dryden Fiber is a data-driven project guided by multiple studies and a strong volunteer team that put us in a position to be successful when the federal funding came along. We are extremely grateful to our residents, who have supported us every step of the way, and to our federal officials.”

With the funding intact, service through Dryden Fiber will extend to thousands of locations in the towns of Dryden and Caroline, according to a release. Dryden Fiber will construct more than 125 miles of fiber-optic line to reach over 2,600 new households.

The town of Dryden has worked since 2019 to launch Dryden Fiber. The service officially became available in November 2022 and was made public in the spring of last year. 

David Makar was named the executive director of Dryden Fiber in February of this year.

“I find a real partnership between the town of Dryden, town of Caroline, and the New York state ConnectALL Office,” Makar said. “This project is an incredible opportunity to level the technology playing field by bringing broadband service to all unserved and underserved homes across these two towns. It’s an honor to be part of this team at Dryden Fiber and to work closely with the team from ConnectALL. Years of hard work and seed planting from elected officials, citizen volunteers and private partner businesses are now showing up ready to provide top-tier, quality broadband service for the residents of Dryden and Caroline.”

Caroline Supervisor Mark Wittmer is looking forward to Dryden Fiber stretching to the town.

“The town of Caroline is so grateful for this critical funding that will establish high-quality, affordable broadband service for our residents and businesses,” Wittmer said. “I want to recognize our colleagues in Dryden for their vision and dedication to making municipal broadband a reality. The town of Caroline is a real beneficiary of their effort and experience. I believe that Caroline will only be the first.”

The release noted that residents with commercial internet service will have an option to switch to Dryden Fiber.

“Our customer-centric team has worked hard, and this grant provides us with the resources to accelerate the buildout and bring reliable, affordable, high-speed, fiber-based internet service to our residents and businesses,” said town of Dryden Supervisor Jason Leifer. “This will create jobs, support education and improve the quality of life for the residents of our towns.”

Dryden Fiber officials recently announced that service became newly available in the following areas:

• Village of Dryden: James Street, Pleasant Street, Lake Street, Union Street, a portion of South Street; and Virgil Road east to Livermore Road, Livermore Road south from Virgil Road to McClintock Road and McClintock Road from Southworth Road east to Livermore Road.
• Village of Freeville: Tanbark Circle, Yates Street, Liberty Street, Union Street, Factory Street and a portion of Main Street.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Child passenger safety certification training available in Dryden

The Neptune Hose Company #1 of Dryden, Inc. will host a National Child Passenger Safety Certification training course in August at its location at 26 North St. in the village.

The course will be held from Aug. 13 to 16 and will go from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Individuals interested in the course must be at least 18 years of age.

For questions or more information, contact ReBecca Main at 607-758-5509 or rmain@cortlandcountyny.gov.

Yoga for Life held every Wednesday in Freeville

Village of Freeville resident Michelle Dardia hosts a Yoga for Life session every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Freeville United Methodist Church at 37 Main St.

The drop-in fee for the session is $10. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Some experience is helpful but not required, as the sessions are committed to being accessible.

Variations and modifications are offered, and extra mats and blocks will be available at each session.

For information or questions, contact Dardia at dollysdaughter@hotmail.com or 607-279-4785.