Big Bad Breakfast, Wetumpka and Chamber host broadband breakfast 

Malia Riggs 

Elmore Autauga News  

The City of Wetumpka along with the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the Leader of the Band Big Bad Breakfast bright and early Tuesday morning at the Wetumpka Civic Center.  

“We’ve celebrated the work in this community around tourism, we’ve celebrated our non -profits, and we are now celebrating the great work that is being done digitally to close the gap in broadband. That’s one of the number one quality of life issues in the great city of Alabama,” Executive Director of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce, Shellie Phelps said.  

On the panel for the Big Bad Breakfast Tuesday, was ECEDA Executive Director Lisa Van Wagner, Elmore County Commissioner Bart Mercer and President and Chief Executive Office of Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, CAEC, Tom Stackhouse. 

The panel was moderated by Elmore County Commissioner Desirae Lewis Jackson where she asked the panel of expert’s questions regarding the broadband expansion project in Elmore County.  

All three individuals talked about the importance of broadband to stay connected not only for education but for the growth and increasing opportunities in Elmore County. 

“Broadband is as important as water and electricity in some situations. We feel everybody needs to have access. We’re always very supportive of making sure that we prioritize and support our providers and what they’re doing in expanding with their partners,” Mercer said.  

The discussion mainly focused on the relationships with providers as well as the county and how the current expansion projects are equipped with the latest in broadband technology. Stackhouse confirmed that the glass and fibers do not change, it’s the technology that drives it, and as technology grows, Elmore County is ready.  

Van Wagner also confirmed that Elmore County has 23 hot spots up and running while Montgomery only has one, showcasing the depth of the ongoing expansion projects throughout the county.  

To find out if you have access in your area, visit the Central Access website, and fill out your address and zip code to see if Broadband is available in your area, www.caecaccess.com or call 1-888-706-4754 to speak to a representative.