The Quitman Development Corp. voted Monday to help advance a proposal from Peoples Telephone to extend fiber-optic cable throughout the city for high-speed internet.

While some sections of Quitman, such as the route to the school or Highway 37, already have fiber connection, the majority has normal broadband. A fiber connection can be more than three times faster than normal internet. While the exact timeline for completion of the project has not yet been decided, once it’s begun it is estimated to take somewhere between 6 and 18 months.

The board’s discussion determined that the QDC will pay $31,250 per year over four years as its match for Peoples to install fiber throughout the city. If the city council approves the project, funding will begin with the QDC’s new budget year beginning in October.

The implementation of fiber optic service will take place over four stages. Developers and businesses are “coming to expect” fiber connectivity in potential growth sites, according to a People’s representative at the meeting; the connectivity is therefore expected to bring in more developers, businesses and residents to Quitman.

The board also discussed potentially finding a way to financially partner with the Quitman Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber hired a coordinator in 2023 but struggled to find someone to fill the position due to the low salary that they were able to offer (“[it] mirrors that of Taco Bell,” said chamber representative Mcxie Hurst).

Now they are looking to find groups served by the chamber to help financially “secure that position.” Without a coordinator, Hurst said, “the chamber cannot function.”

“The chamber is looking for options and solutions and ways to help fortify the financial state of the chamber, to continue to serve Quitman,” said Hurst. “Any solutions, whether it be financial or just possible strategic solutions, we’re open for discussion.”

QDC Executive Director James Attaway voiced a concern that the QDC may not legally be able to directly support the chamber since the QDC is a Type B Development Corporation. The board will consult the QDC lawyer.

In the meantime, they will discuss other ways to enable the chamber’s reallocation of funds toward the position. Some potential methods brought up included rent assistance, sponsorship for the chamber’s annual banquet or another form of financial assistance.

Although the board decided to table the official vote until next month, they also discussed approval of a market study for Quitman’s rental housing demand. It is expected that completing the study would take 4-7 weeks and would bring in developers, grants and investors.

Plans for an apartment complex south of Brookshires have been shelved although the developer is looking at other potential sites.

QDC member David Dobbs resigned from the board. The QDC voted to accept his resignation effective immediately and to appoint Kerry Puckett to the board pending the city council approval on Jan. 18.