As part of AT&T’s continuing efforts to drive economic development and investment in Georgia, AT&T and representatives from the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority have announced that the I-75 Industrial Park and the Ocmulgee East Industrial Park are certified as AT&T Fiber Ready. 

In today’s world, connectivity is vital to employers and businesses of every type. There’s no such thing as a “low-tech” business today, so economic development leaders must be able to tout the presence of high-speed internet connectivity. 

"High-speed connectivity is economic development, whether that means it’s provided to current businesses, areas for future businesses and industry, or to homes,” says Mayor Robert A.B. Reichert. “AT&T is providing us another tool by which we can attract new industries and jobs to Macon-Bibb County. We have location, we have access, we have quality of life, and we have the right infrastructure."

With the designation of being AT&T Fiber Ready, local economic development officials can more effectively position their communities for site selection by emphasizing the availability of high-speed, fiber-based services.  

AT&T has been deploying high-speed, fiber-optic infrastructure across Georgia for many years, and the AT&T Fiber Ready designation is a tool for local economic development officials to highlight the assets available in their facilities.

“The Industrial Authority is the lead economic development arm for Macon-Bibb County. Enacted in 1962, we’re charged with analyzing the use of resources entrusted to us by the community to maximize the impact of business development. We view our position as a service provider, and providing a fiber-optic infrastructure is critical for business to compete in this global economy,” said Cliffard Whitby, MBCIA Chairman. “Our work of creating and retaining jobs while attracting new industries to the area is a large part of our core mission, and placing emphasis on the availability of high-speed, fiber-based services places us at the cutting edge of innovation and connectivity in the 21^st century. AT&T has a strong brand in our community and worldwide, and this partnership will position us for great site selector opportunities. We are always mindful that who we are today is a stepping stone to the community we want to be tomorrow.”

“We are proud to highlight these parks in Bibb County as some of the many places in Georgia where AT&T’s fiber-optic infrastructure is in place and ready to help local businesses drive job creation,” said Terry Smith, AT&T Regional Director – External Affairs. “Positive, pro-business policies embraced by Georgia’s state and local elected officials continue to make our state a great place to invest, and I’m proud of the work our AT&T Georgia employees have done deploying fiber and other infrastructure that delivers high-speed Internet access. Their hard work and skills, combined with millions of dollars in AT&T investment, enable Georgians to connect and innovate.”

For more information on AT&T Fiber Ready in Georgia, visit: http://georgia.att.com/