Courtesy SLICFiber
By Paul Post
Local government and civic officials took part in a recent event at Saratoga Springs City Hall to welcome upstate New York’s fastest-growing internet provider to the city.
St. Lawrence County-based SLICFiber already serves Geyser Crest and expects to have full coverage in the Spa City within a year.
“We’re not a new company, we’re just new to your neighborhood,” SLICFiber CEO Kevin Lynch said.
Fiber optics is considered vital to future growth because it has almost unlimited capacity and much greater speed. A key element of modern economic development strategy involves attracting highly talented, skilled people who can work wherever and whenever they want to, but need to be sure they are connected to the rest of the world.
“Fast and reliable electronic communication in the 21st century is essential to economic development,” said Greg Connors, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation president and CEO. “It is among the top questions asked by investors contemplating their next capital investment when considering Saratoga County. SLIC’s expansion in the City of Saratoga Springs with plans to expand into Saratoga County is considered a ‘next generation’ fiber. It will replace legacy technology, provide pricing stability for its users and create full-time job opportunities.”
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus said, “The presence of broadband fiber is an important asset for this community. It strengthens our ability to retain and attract businesses, supports our existing employers, and helps position Saratoga Springs for long-term growth.”
Mayor John Safford of Saratoga Springs said, “SLIC represents another choice for our residents and businesses,” adding that SLIC has taken the time to work with the city every step of the way and that its commitment to serving the community sets it apart. He said the investment comes at no cost to the city and will add to its tax base, providing additional value to taxpayers.
SLICFiber evolved out of the former Nicholville Telephone Company, founded in 1902 near Watertown. Several years ago, it began providing fiber optics across northern New York, primarily to communities that previously had no internet service.
More recently, the company has moved south to Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties and is competing against Spectrum, the region’s legacy technology provider. SLICFiber offers internet and phone service only, but future plans call for television service, too.
The company’s installation contractor has been especially busy in Glens Falls recently, putting cable on National Grid-owned utility poles.
“We’ll be turning up service in new locations as we continue our build,” Lynch said. “We use direct mail and digital ads to let people know we’re coming into the community,” he said.
SLICFiber also had a highly visible presence at Adirondack Thunder playoff games, with displays on Harding Mazzotti Arena’s large video screen.
Ballston Spa, Wilton and South Glens Falls are among the communities the company is also targeting.
On Feb. 4, World Cancer Day, the company made a highly visible entry to Mechanicville by installing the first-ever pink fiber-optic cable, with plans to donate $25 to a local charity for every residential and commercial connection.
The Mechanicville-Stillwater Chamber of Commerce was the first “Pink Drop” customer. Plans call for working with local officials to make the #FiberofHope initiative available in SLICFiber’s entire service area. Lynch said more than $16,000 has been raised to date.
Installing fiber optics is extremely expensive, and asking customers to change providers they have had for many years can be quite a challenge. “It is a big risk, but people are desperate for choice,” Lynch said. “We started in places that had no service at all. We’ve found a pretty good success rate in communities where there’s overlap. We’re confident that as people get to know us as a company that they’re going to appreciate getting services from us.”