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Local leaders meet and discuss fiber optic connection in McKean County
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
Era Reporter
marcie@bradfordera.com
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| Era photo by Francie Long |
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Local leaders of industry and government met Tuesday to celebrate the much-anticipated fiber optic connection in McKean County, which officials referred to as “the next generation of telecommunication infrastructure.”
Bradford Area Alliance Executive Director Mike Glesk hosted the meeting at the Bradford Club to acknowledge the work of Zito Media Communications of Coudersport on making this project a reality.
Referring to a meeting two years ago regarding future plans of a fiber optic network, Glesk said, “We had an interstate highway system going on here with no ‘on and off’ ramps. Unless we had this level of connectivity, we would be left in the dark.”
About a year ago, a local group was working with a different large telecommunications company to explore a system for the region, he explained.
“That system really wasn’t well suited to us,” Glesk said. “We ended up mapping out an optimum system for our region. The other company backed out and we partnered with Zito.
“We’re within weeks of having full-scale connectivity ... comparable to anyplace else in the country,” he said.
To make such a project possible, area businesses and organizations had to be on board from the ground level to make the project financially feasible for Zito.
Glesk said Zippo Manufacturing Co. was the first to sign on, and will be the first to be connected. The target date is Dec. 1.
“This is one more instance one could point to where Zippo had the community in mind when we built those ‘on and off’ ramps you spoke of,” said Greg Booth, Zippo chief executive officer.
He spoke of the opportunities this system will open up for improving and enhancing Zippo’s business around the globe.
“It’s rapid and high volume communication to 150 countries around the world where Zippo does business,” Booth said. “This will help you do business the way business should be done.”
Booth added the system operates eight times faster at half the cost, which will allow Zippo to communicate more effectively and more cost effectively.
Other area industry leaders also spoke about the opportunities the service will open up for their companies.
Harvey Golubock, chief operating officer of American Refining Group, lauded Glesk’s efforts at bringing about the fiber optic system, as well as the work of Zito Media.
“We need higher speed connections to stay even with business today,” Golubock said. He also mentioned that Zito’s services will include IP based digital voice capacity. “It’s going to be great for us.”
“When I think about fiber optics, I keep going back to the same thoughts, progress occurs where infrastructure exists,” said Terry Palmer, chief information officer of Bradford Regional Medical Center. “Zito’s really brought something to the table. We will soon have access to world-class communication.”
Palmer said two words describe Zito — “accessibility and cooperation. I can pick up the phone at any time of the day and call Jim Rigas,” he said, referring to the chief executive officer of the company “That’s unheard of. Try picking up the phone and calling the CEO of Verizon.”
Steve Zwerin, senior director of business development with Zito, said, “We’re bringing this region into the pre-twenty-second century. This is a massive new facility with virtually unlimited capacity.”
Rigas also addressed those in attendance. “It’s incredible what’s been accomplished in the last year.”
Referring to each organization Zito has dealt with, he said, “Each organization has been progressive and forward-thinking, straight forward and professional. I’m looking forward to finishing up in the next few weeks and moving forward.”
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