Community Wi-Fi, Carroll County expansion help mark 2025 annual meeting
“Our team at Citizens realizes there are other options for internet service, but our team is superior in delivery, customer service, and technical support. We have heard this statement over and over as customers request Citizens because of our commitment...”
The 2025 annual Meeting of Citizens Telephone Cooperative was held on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Citizens’ office on Webbs Mill Road in Floyd.
Registration began at 11 a.m., and the meeting started at noon with President of the Board Joseph Italiano calling the meeting to order.
Italiano cited some of the company’s accomplishments over the last year, stating that Fiber-to-the-Home has had a significant impact on Floyd County residents. He continued sharing that the Cooperative now plans to expand into portions of Carroll County made possible by a Community Connect Grant.
Italiano turned the meeting over to the CEO and General Manager of Citizens Donna Smith, who further shared how the Cooperative used funds from several grants, including LECAP, to cover the cost of long driveways and expanding to underserved areas.
She pointed out that the grant process is laborious.
“There is a lot of time spent on mapping and forecasting costs,” Smith said. “We work diligently on reporting and compliance of the grants we currently have and continue to apply for new grant opportunities.”
Citizens assisted the Dugspur Community Center with their newly opened computer center for public use as part of the Citizens Community Connect Grant award received.
Smith said, “Our team at Citizens realizes there are other options for internet service, but our team is superior in delivery, customer service, and technical support. We have heard this statement over and over as customers request Citizens because of our commitment to our customers and the communities we serve.”
Smith pointed out that the internet is opening doors for entrepreneurs, enabling youth to stay in the community while attending college, and helping them find jobs and remain in Floyd County.
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“The internet has become a necessity for learning, working, and for entertainment,” said Smith.
Smith said that the Co-op has more than 6,300 customers already connected to fiber services, with some areas of the county obtaining a 100% migration rate.