CLAY HILL – Clay County is partnering with Comcast to host an Xfinity Internet Community Sign-Up Event on Saturday, May 6, inside the cafeteria at Clay Hill Elementary at 6345 County Road 218 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The broadband internet is a vital daily resource that, unfortunately, hasn’t been available for our residents in Clay Hill and Keystone Heights. Instead, they relied on slower satellite internet.

But now, as a part of the Clay County Broadband Project, many neighbors in those communities will have access to Comcast’s Xfinity broadband internet service, and more county areas are expected to follow.

In 2022 Clay County Commissioners voted to approve an agreement with Comcast to extend broadband service into areas of Clay County that lack internet service. The system will be owned, operated and maintained by Comcast.

The BCC worked with Comcast to determine existing systems in the lacking areas of our county. From there, it decided how to obtain the most significant residential impact within the constraints of the project. As the network expands, so will connectivity. The goal is to eliminate the digital divide through this process. The county is actively working to accomplish this with Comcast and with the help of grants.

Comcast’s cable system was extended as part of Phase 1 to provide internet service to the northwest portion of Clay Hill and Keystone Heights north of County Road 214 and east of State Road 21, moving out toward McRae.

Phase 2 will encompass more of the Keystone Heights area, and the county will update residents on which areas will be served.

At this upcoming sign-up event, residents will be able to find out if the internet is available in their homes. If not, when it will be available. If their home is ready to connect, neighbors can sign up on-site as volunteers guide them through the process.

“This project is more than just the internet – it touches education, careers, entertainment, and resources,” BCC Chair Betsy Condon said. “Our goal is to eliminate the digital divide across Clay County, so our residents won’t have to be burdened with the worry of not being able to connect for online education, work, or family entertainment.”

Residents will learn what Xfinity internet services are available and if they qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides low-income households a credit of up to $30 a month toward their internet and/or mobile services.

Volunteers will also be available on-site to help neighbors sign-up for the ACP. Neighbors interested in this option must bring identification and benefit documentation. Visit acpbenefit.org to learn more.