Editor’s Note: Spectrum internet is affiliated with Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum News 1.

BERRY, Ky. — Having access to broadband internet in rural areas like Berry, Kentucky, with a population just over 350 people, can make a big difference for people’s everyday lives.

That’s about to change for Berry residents, who will soon get broadband internet from Spectrum. It’s an effort funded through a combination of state and local rural broadband grants.

Mary Woodhead Hillenmeyer is the president of Woodhead Funeral Home and Memorials. She says her business and the families it serves will feel the benefits of improved connectivity.

“At the basis of every great relationship is communication, and it is key to making communication available, not only with our funeral home family and what we do every day, but also in communicating with the families we serve and with our family members communicating with each other,” Hillenmeyer said.

Both parents and students are looking forward to having broadband access, too. Having Spectrum internet service gives students in rural communities like Berry fair access to educational materials. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed just how important internet access is for learning. Even right now, it’s a challenge for kids like Gracie Ison, a student at Harrison County Middle School. “It’s difficult at times. Sometimes it works, but not as well as I would hope for it to,” Ison shared.

“They would have to go park at the schools in the parking lot where they had connection to do their work, so it was rough,” explained her mother, Janet Ison. “I truly believe they will be blessed to have it and overjoyed.”

“They’re really excited for the grant and they’re glad that they’re coming because it will help them in their small businesses,” said Mayor Keith Ison.

Spectrum internet is expected to be available in Berry by the end of 2025.