Standing atop the historic Woodstock field in Bethel, (from the left) Sullivan County Manager Joshua Potosek, Archtop Fiber Co-Founder Shawn Beqaj and Sullivan County ITS Commissioner Lorne Green ceremonially break ground on a $30 million NYS ConnectALL program to expand broadband around Sullivan County.
Bethel, NY – Archtop Fiber, a leading regional provider of multi-gig, lightning speed fiber Internet and phone service across the Northeast, broke ground in Sullivan County today. Fueled by New York State’s ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program administered by Empire State Development, which aims to expand broadband infrastructure throughout New York State, Sullivan County was awarded a substantial $29.9M of the collective $240M+ state-wide funding announced to date.
In celebration of the groundbreaking, executives and officials from Empire State Development, Archtop Fiber and Sullivan County gathered at The Bethel Woods Center this afternoon to unveil regional expansion plans.
“Today marks a historic turning point for Sullivan County — we're finally bridging the gap that has held back too many communities for far too long,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “This publicly-owned infrastructure isn't just about faster Internet — it's about opening doors to better healthcare, education, and economic opportunities that access to high- speed Internet brings to the table. No New Yorker should be left behind simply because of where they live, and this project ensures that rural communities have the same access to opportunity as anywhere else in our state.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Municipal Infrastructure Program highlights New York State's commitment to innovative, equitable broadband solutions. By prioritizing public ownership, we ensure broadband connectivity is universally accessible, affordable, and sustainable. This investment will make a tangible difference in the daily lives of Sullivan County residents – helping students succeed in school, supporting small businesses, and expanding access to telehealth and other vital services."
"For too long, people in our community have not had access to the digital resources that are required to take advantage of everything from educational and employment opportunities to full participation in civic and social life,” stated Assemblymember Paula Kay, who represents most of Sullivan County in the 100th Assembly District. “I am positive this project will help break cycles of inequality here in Sullivan County and help each and every person in our area live up to their full potential."
“Access to high-speed internet is not luxury, but a necessity, a utility as vital as electricity for everyday life. Today, Sullivan County takes a major step towards closing the digital divide. I was proud to deliver a whopping $30 million in federal funding to boost affordable, high-quality internet access for more than 22,000 homes throughout Sullivan County,” said Senator Charles Schumer. “These federal resources will help families stay connected to education, to healthcare, economic opportunity, and each other. When I led the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, I made sure there was funding for long term investments like this that would create good paying jobs helping build the 21st century infrastructure needed to make high-speed internet reaches every corner of New York State.”
“High-quality internet is no longer a luxury – it is a necessity for everyday life,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “It is wonderful to see this broadband internet access project in Sullivan County begin, and I want to commend County Manager Joshua Potosek, Archtop Fiber, and all involved parties for their work to significantly extend broadband service to previously underserved areas. I am proud to be leading the push to help bring reliable broadband to every single community in our state and will continue to fight in Congress for every New Yorker – regardless of where they live, work, or retire – to have access to the technology necessary to succeed in the 21st century.”
Through this initiative, Archtop Fiber will deploy 220+ miles of fiber – nearly 100% of which will be buried, underground backbone, and/or middle mile construction. Once fully implemented, the company will service more than 22,000 Sullivan County addresses by providing 10GB of symmetrical Internet.
The power of connectivity will grant residents access to the creator economy’s full potential, in turn fueling long-term benefits and economic growth for the region. With fiber optics in place, the area will be poised to attract new businesses as well as remote, work- from-home talent, which will further promote an economic boost.
“Archtop Fiber is proud to bring the fastest fiber Internet on the market to Sullivan County,” said Jeff DeMond, Chairman and CEO, Archtop Fiber. “It’s partnerships like this that make a significant impact in local communities. We are committed to helping businesses grow, governments connect and make homes frustration-free all while making the American dream much more achievable through access to the creator economy.”
“This partnership represents the culmination of many years of work and vision by County staff and partners,” said Sullivan County Manager, Joshua A. Potosek. “I’m particularly grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development and Archtop Fiber for coming alongside Sullivan County to realize this enormous project, one which promises to impact thousands of people and businesses.”
“Thanks to being awarded the largest single grant in our history – nearly $30 million – Sullivan County is positioned to spread the wealth of high-speed, affordable broadband access across our 1,000 square miles,” noted Sullivan County Legislature Chair, Nadia Rajsz. “And with our partner Archtop Fiber, we will be accomplishing this feat with a minimum of unsightly wires – in fact, many people will be able to access the Internet wirelessly at speeds faster than they’ve ever experienced.”
Last month, Archtop Fiber announced securing nearly $200M in funding to support its aggressive expansion plan throughout the Northeast, targeting rural and unserved communities. The company’s service is currently available across Kingston, Saugerties, Rhinebeck, Hudson, Warwick, and Woodstock in New York and Vernon, New Jersey, with plans to light up even more markets, including Catskill, Red Hook and Tivoli in New York, and Pittsfield, Massachusetts in The Berkshires.
Customer installations in Sullivan County are expected to begin later this year with full implementation planned for end of 2026.
As part of its expansion, Archtop Fiber will be actively adding local jobs across new markets for both the development and ongoing customer support phases.
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for available roles by visiting www.archtopfiber.com/careers.
About Archtop Fiber
Archtop Fiber offers the fastest, most reliable, environmentally friendly and affordable Internet access to communities across the Northeast. With decades of experience and success, the company provides multi-gig, symmetrical, all-fiber Internet solutions that open doors for community growth and prosperity. Archtop Fiber’s future-forward network and Internet services deliver reliable, lightning-fast access to entertainment, healthcare, employment and education opportunities. From businesses and hospitals to farms and families, Archtop Fiber prioritizes exceptional service, and an unwavering community focus to create a brighter, tech-driven future for all. For more information, please visit www.archtopfiber.com.
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.
About the Project
Sullivan County is partnering with Archtop Fiber to serve over 22,000 homes and businesses, leveraging the County’s existing towers and Archtop’s capabilities in fiber optic construction. Sullivan County will own the infrastructure, while Archtop Fiber and Hudson Valley Wireless will serve as internet service providers. The County will build 253 miles of fiber and one new communication tower, in addition to 11 towers it already owns, extending broadband service to unserved and underserved locations. Sullivan County faces unique challenges due to its rural, mountainous terrain, low population density and status, as the most distressed of the seven counties represented by the Hudson Valley Regional Council that have long deterred broadband deployment in the County. This initiative reverses that trend for many of the unserved homes in the county and creates new opportunities in health, education and economic well-being.
