New Communications Tower at Southwestern Community College

Sylva -- March 14, 2024: Southwestern Community College announces new cell tower that bridges coverage gap.

Thanks to a new wireless communication tower perched atop Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus, a strong digital signal has replaced the once “dead zone” between Sylva, Cullowhee, and Webster.

Scott Baker, SCC’s Vice President for Information Technology, worked with Vogue Towers over the past couple of years to get the new tower installed just above the college’s Summit Building.

Verizon Wireless contracted with Vogue, as one of its tower build partners, to find a solution for improved coverage in and around the campus area of SCC. Vogue is the asset owner of the structure and handleall aspects of leasing, permitting and constructing the tower. Coverage began streaming from the 180-foot spire on Dec. 29.

“This was a challenging site in terms of construction and location on the hillside, but the college staff has been one of the most receptive and accommodating landlords we have worked with and quickly recognized the need for improved safety and better coverage for the community,” said Vogue CEO Pat Troxell-Tant, who visited the site this week. “We are always proud to assist the carriers with their network improvements to ensure citizens have the highest standard of not only coverage, but safety. Verizon has been very committed to this long-term project to improve the much-needed coverage to its users in the Sylva community.”

Space is available for other wireless carriers to add better service for their customers in the future.  Vogue also provides tower space on its towers to emergency management services for no charge.

“Previously, there was limited-to-zero access for the public schools and SCC in this area,” Baker said. “This new tower ensures the community and our public safety providers have access to a powerful wireless broadband signal.”

Compensation that the college receives from Vogue Towers for a ground lease will go into a fund to support student scholarships at Southwestern.

“It’s a win-win for the community, cell phone providers, and our students,” said Dr. Don Tomas, SCC President. “This new tower helps all of us.”

For more information about Southwestern, visit www.SouthwesternCC.edu, call 828.339.4000 or drop by your nearest SCC location.

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