Stronger Signals
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STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY AUDRA SPEARS
In the early days, Lake Martin’s attraction as an escape destination hinged, to some extent, on its remoteness and lack of technology. The lake was a place where the word ‘connection’ was synonymous with teaching the grandchildren to water ski and making s’mores around the fire pit – not cellphone reception and internet access. Today, the lake’s connectivity relates to advances in technology, as the global shift to Zoom meetings, school online and internet shopping makes fulltime lake life amenable for young, active families. With real estate sales breaking records in the lake area, new home developments and neighborhoods are on the fast track for moving dirt and breaking ground to create inventory to meet demand. The growing population at Lake Martin shops, works, learns, chats with friends and relatives, runs businesses and more through a Wi-Fi connection. In contrast to their parents who retired to a quiet life at the lake; busy, active
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families can live anywhere if they have a good internet connection. While families hope to live the outdoors dream their parents had – boating, wake surfing, hiking and swimming at the lake – their lifestyles and livelihoods require a different picture inside. In addition to bedrooms, bathrooms, beautiful views and plenty of living space, they need high-speed internet to make their dreams come true. Reliable internet service has been a government priority for several years, said Alabama State House Rep. Ed Oliver, who represents District 81, encompassing more than three quarters of Lake Martin’s 880 miles of shoreline. The biggest boon to highspeed internet at the lake in recent years has been the availability of federal money through reverse auction, he said. “We are working with Tallapoosa River Electric Co-op and Central Alabama Electric Co-op in part-
APRIL 2021
