3 businesses seek to join network

By Pamela Metaxas

05/05/2008- The Republican

CHICOPEE - More city businesses have signed up with Chicopee Electric Light Co. for a program offering high-speed fiberoptic service.

The program, which kicked off last fall, is the result of an agreement between the utility and Holyoke Gas & Electric Co.

CEL General Manager Jeffrey R. Cady said yesterday that three more businesses have signed on, bringing the total to seven.

"I wish we could get more, but we know that businesses who are interested have to finish their contracts with other carriers" or private providers such as Verizon or Charter, he said.

The newest businesses to sign up were the Pond Ekberg printing company on Broadway, Schermerhorn Box in the Cabotville Industrial Park, and Western Mass. Development Corp. at Westover Metropolitan Airport.

Others already on line are the Holyoke Medical Center-Family Practice on New Ludlow Road, Electro-Term Hollingsworth at Cabotville Industrial Park, the new Chicopee Health Center at 505 Front St., and First American Insurance Co. on Front Street.

The program calls for the Holyoke utility to lease available fiberoptics from Chicopee through the Chicopee utility, and then resell it to a business which signs on.

Holyoke Gas & Electric Co. also provides high-speed Internet to businesses in Holyoke and Springfield.

While there is no cost to Chicopee, officials have said the program could earn an estimated $150,000 to $300,000 on profits for the city.

Cady said the program is being marketed through billboards, advertisements in Business West, and through Chamber of Commerce events in both cities.

"Everyone is happy with the service and the time it takes to get installed, which is usually within two weeks unless there is a situation which might take longer," he said.

The cooperative program was announced last year by Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette, Holyoke Mayor Michael J. Sullivan, Cady, and Holyoke Gas & Electric Manager James M. Lavelle. It was also unveiled at a chamber event.

Both mayors have praised the program and the collaboration between the two cities as promoting economic growth and jobs not limited by geographic borders.

Cady said this is not the first time the municipal utility has teamed up with other cities and towns.

"We have worked in the past with other municipalities such as Westfield, Holyoke, and South Hadley on energy conservation programs," he noted.

Any city concern interested in signing up for the fiberoptic program is advised to call CEL's Thomas Robak at (413) 598-8311, Ext. 136.