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EPB and $5.3 Billion in Savings

EPB and $5.3 Billion in Savings

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In 2010, Chattanooga's municipal utility EPB made a controversial $396 million bet on citywide fiber infrastructure. Fifteen years later, economist Dr. Bento Lobo and EPB's William Plank reveal the results in this episode of Broadband Action: $5.3 billion in economic value, 10,420 jobs created, and a 6.4x return on investment. The fiber network powers both gigabit internet and a smart grid that's prevented $632 million in storm damage. The conversation covers how municipal fiber forced competitors to improve service, connected 16,000 low-income students through digital equity programs, and why EPB is now investing $30 million in quantum computing. A masterclass in infrastructure investment with practical lessons for communities nationwide.

Read the full study here: https://static.epb.com/media/documents/Lobo-Plank_2025_-_Nov_12_2025.pdf
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