By GARETT VALCOURT
Over two years ago, a visionary idea took root in a local RV park, thanks to the efforts of John Hagan and his wife. The couple set out with a mission: to bring high-speed internet access to their guests and, potentially, to the entire community.
“The plan was simple but ambitious,” said Hagan. “We wanted to provide high-speed internet for our guests, and we believed it could be done by installing fiber optics. It was a costly venture, but we felt it was worth it.”
In addition to bringing fiber optic internet to their RV park, the Hagans explored the possibility of constructing a tower to use the fiber as a backbone for community-wide internet service. “We built the tower, installed the initial transmitting equipment, and it worked,” Hagan explained. “It was our proof of concept.”
A few months ago, buoyed by the project’s success, Hagan took to Facebook to share their story and seek interested companies to help further develop the initiative.
READINET, a company specializing in internet services, responded to the call. “They saw our post, came out to inspect the project, and were enthusiastic about taking over,” Hagan said. “Now, they have their equipment set up, customers are coming online, and the service is expanding. This was exactly what we had hoped for.”
With READINET now actively involved, high-speed internet is not just a dream but a reality for the residents of Esto. The project’s success reflects a broader vision of community connectivity and innovation according to Hagans.
“Sometimes, if you have a good idea or dream, you just need to follow it,” Hagan reflected. “You may be surprised where it leads.”
Staff Report 