LIBERTY CO., Ga. (WTGS) — People gathered at Bluff Creek Clubhouse on Colonels Island Tuesday to hear Tim Echols, Georgia Public Service Vice Chairman, announce the plan to bring more broadband to Liberty, Long and Bryan counties.

Students should not be doing their homework at McDonalds, people that are starting family businesses need to be able to do that from their home, and so many people are using hybrid models to get their college education now," Echols said.

Chris Fettes, CEO of Coastal Electric Cooperative, said their $40 million venture has been a two year conversation between leaders of his company and Darien Communications.

Their new broadband provider, Coastal Fiber Inc., will give high-speed internet access to more than 16,000 Georgians in the three coastal counties.

Echols said it will help with economic development in these areas as well.

Being able to say to a company out of state, or in Europe, come to Liberty County. We have a military base, we have a coast, we have a marsh, we have all of this beauty, and you know what, we have fiber," Echols said.

RELATED:New broadband provider to service rural areas in Bryan, Liberty, and Long counties

Leaders said construction on this project will start immediately and connect customers early next year.