Smart Rural Community Spotlight: Connection at the Lake

Gig Resort program is drawing attention from vacationers

So many urban dwellers enjoy getting away to a rural setting to recharge, and Western Kentucky provides no shortage of views and relaxing activities perfect for escaping a faster-paced life. Those visiting the Kentucky Lake area or buying vacation homes there used to have to sacrifice their connection with work and social happenings back home during their visits. But improved fiber connectivity is changing that.

A few years ago, WK&T announced its Gig Resort program, designed to provide high-speed internet with speeds up to 1 Gig to vacationers in the area. These speeds mean resortgoers at Kentucky Lake can catch up on work, attend classes or check in on friends via social media while enjoying gorgeous views and the peace of nature. Kentucky Lake is vast and is home to many resorts, and WK&T will soon serve a significant portion of the counties surrounding the lake.

Rainy day at the lake? It’s no problem now. New fiber infrastructure means reliable connection no matter the weather—that’s not something users could be assured of with old copper connections.

“High-speed internet access is no longer a luxury but a necessity for modern travelers,” acknowledges WK&T Marketing and Revenue Manager Natalie Morgan. “By upgrading our resorts with fiber amenities, we not only meet the expectations of today’s tourists but also open up opportunities for extended stays and off-season bookings.”

The partnerships between WK&T and participating resorts make the effort sustainable and wide reaching. Resorts receive a discount on internet costs, and to get the word out about this heightened level of connectivity, there’s Gig Resort signage and a social media campaign. The intended result is a push toward year-round usage for resorts. A target market is Nashville and Clarksville residents.

WK&T is seeing more requests from new property buyers for information on internet service in the area. Ultimately, the area’s appeal to tourists will benefit the local economy, too, allowing all involved to thrive and pushing the resorts further toward the goal of year-round use.

“Resorts on Kentucky Lake have long been a significant contributor to the local economy, drawing tourists and providing jobs,” Morgan says. “The addition of fiber-optic internet will only enhance this by attracting more tech-savvy travelers and remote workers who require reliable, high-speed internet.”