Fidium Fiber brings competition, and Pumpkinfest sponsorship, to city

LACONIA — City leaders and representatives of Fidium Fiber gathered for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the company bringing service to the city, and a sponsorship of Laconia Pumpkin Festival.

Jeff McIver, a member of the government affairs team for Fidium, said Wednesday in front of City Hill while there isn’t a brick-and-mortar location for Fidium Fiber in the Lakes Region, the city's new "Gig Town" status provides a new option for customers looking for high-speed service.

“This is a milestone moment,” McIver said. “Fiber expansion is complete in the community, and Laconia gained access to Fidium earlier this year, including our newest technology in Wi-Fi 7, and the fastest speeds, up to eight gig.”

McIver said homes, businesses and institutions have access to “fast, reliable” internet. This matters locally, because fiber supports growth and competition, and attracts new investment. Residents can work remotely, with access to education and telehealth services. Fiber strengthens economic development and quality of life.

“As far as forward thinking, this is about enabling the [city's] next chapter of growth. Fiber network is future-proof, ready to connect community to new technologies,” McIver said.

McIver knows the Lakes Region well, as he grew up in Holderness, and went to high school in Plymouth. He came to Laconia for athletics, and said it is great to be back, on a professional basis.

The ribbon-cutting was hosted by the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, and Executive Director Grace McNamara said anything that helps businesses and communities grow their infrastructure is beneficial.

“We’re completely on board with that, and that is why we’ve been talking about putting together this ribbon-cutting for about two months,” McNamara said. “That is really what this is about for us, a business coming into Laconia, and opening up new opportunities.”

Mayor Mike Bordes spoke, joined by Councilors Bob Soucy (Ward 2), Mark Haynes (Ward 4), and Mike Conant (Ward 6), as well as City Manager Kirk Beattie, Parks and Recreation Director Amy Lovisek, Fire Chief Tim Joubert, and Housing and Economic Development Director Joia Hughes.

“It’s great to have competition,” Bordes said. “I love that we have a new fiber optic company in the area to bring competition. Competition decreases rates for people, and it is always great to have. I love to see new businesses come to Laconia. I’m honored to have you guys here, and best of luck to you all.”

Soucy said from what he's determined, Fidium has the “fastest internet in town.” He hasn’t compared costs yet, but agreed with Bordes it's good to have competition. He said Breezeline dropped the ball, by not setting up an operation in the city, but between Fidium and other competitors, they are all fighting for the same thing.

McIver said Fidium is investing in the future of the city, including with a sponsorship for Laconia Pumpkin Festival. An oversized check for $1,000 was presented after the ribbon was cut. Soucy was excited about what this year’s Pumpkin Festival, coming this October, will hold.

“Pumpkinfest, No. 1, will be bigger this year than I think it ever has been,” Soucy said. “I’d like to see 20,000 to 25,000 people.”

Soucy said he and Lovisek were recently monitoring the Farmer’s Almanac, which says the weather looks good . The two-day event is Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24. With the downtown social district established, Soucy sees this as a huge event for the city.

“This is really, really good for the city,” Soucy said. “I want to see the city become a destination, and not just an event. I’m hoping to get more New England and national exposure. Pumpkinfest is really important.”

Sponsorship from companies like Fidium are vital, Soucy said, for the city's big event. He said this year, they will be “in the black,” and costs won’t be put back on taxpayers. There are big plans for food vendors, crafts, events, free movie viewings, train rides, and live music.

“Pumpkinfest gets me excited,” Soucy said. “It really does. It’s a lot of fun. It’s really good for the city. I was pushing for it for years. I am really glad that the city retained it.”