It’s no secret that access to internet in western North Carolina is a big problem. A recent study found that 73% of people in the area find that their internet access or speed does not meet their needs. IT Director of Highlands Matt Schuler has been working to help bring internet to the town for over 10 years. It’s been a challenge from all angles: legal, technological and literal - since Highlands sits on a plateau at 4118 feet at the top of Cullasaja Gorge. “Highlands is difficult to get to - every road here is curvy as it can be,” says Schuler. “Nobody really wanted to come in the 1900s to build electricity in our town because it was kind of a rough route.” Schuler compares internet to electricity because the town of Highlands sees internet access as a utility that they should be able to provide to their citizens. He also says they can use the broadband to enhance the town’s utilities into a “smart grid.” However a 2011 law upheld by NC appeals courts in 2016 blocks towns