Governor featured in Millersburg groundbreaking of broadband effort

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, second from left, joins a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday outside the Millersburg Christian Church of the start of Socket Telecom's construction of a fiber optic broadband network in Callaway County. With the governor, from left, are Joe Ridenhour of Ridenhour Construction Co. of Jefferson City; George Pfenenger, Socket chief executive officer; and Carson Coffman, Socket president.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, second from left, joins a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday outside the Millersburg Christian Church of the start of Socket Telecom's construction of a fiber optic broadband network in Callaway County. With the governor, from left, are Joe Ridenhour of Ridenhour Construction Co. of Jefferson City; George Pfenenger, Socket chief executive officer; and Carson Coffman, Socket president.

Gov. Jay Nixon predicted Wednesday the launch of fiber optic high-speed Internet service will promote business and improve the quality of life of many Callaway County residents.

Nixon participated in Wednesday's groundbreaking in Millersburg of Socket Telecom's fiber optic broadband network in Callaway County.

Nixon said Socket participates in Missouri's MoBroadbandNow initiative.

Commissioner Kelvin L. Simmons of the Missouri Office of Administration said no state money was involved in the Callaway County project and Socket sought on its own the $16.6 million and $7.1 million loan from the United States Department of Agriculture to finance the project. The state's assistance came through Socket's participation in the state's MoBroadbandNow program.