Upcountry Fiber Foundation Raises $124,655 for Upstate Area Non-Profits

Pickens, SC – October 17, 2022 – Upcountry Fiber Foundation, the charitable arm and permanent endowment of Upcountry Fiber, announces that it raised $124,655 at its inaugural charity golf tournament on September 19 at The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards. Upcountry Fiber, an internet service provider that bridges the digital divide by bringing broadband internet service to rural and other under and unserved communities, was created in 2020 through a partnership between Blue Ridge Electric Co-op (BREC) and WCFIBER, a subsidiary of WCTEL. Upcountry Fiber Foundation was launched in September 2022 as a way to give back to Upstate philanthropic organizations.

Upcountry Fiber Foundation is focused on funding non-profits that serve the community in education, youth, culture, arts, and health and human services areas, as the foundation is committed to creating a stronger connection between the organizations that link people and businesses with areas of need.

Upcountry Fiber Foundation is building on the 23-year legacy of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative’s Blue Ridge Fest, an annual event that raised more than $3 million for area non-profits by bringing people together around their love of classic cars, music, and family. That event ceased to operate in 2020 due to the negative impact the pandemic had on holding large events.

“We are thrilled to raise nearly $125,000 at our first charity golf tournament to create the seed money for the Upcountry Fiber Foundation,” said Jim Lovinggood, president and CEO, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. “We are thankful for all our sponsors and donors, especially our presenting sponsor ElectriCom, who each contributed to make this endeavor a success.”

“Our ability to positively impact the philanthropic organizations in our footprint is now solidified thanks to the funds raised through our tournament,” said Jeff Wilson, president and CEO of WCFIBER. “We look forward to how we can collectively support people in need throughout Abbeville, Anderson, Greenville, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg Counties once our grant application process opens early next year.”

For more information about Upcountry Fiber Foundation, visit: https://www.upcountryfiber.com/foundation.

About Upcountry Fiber Foundation

The Upcountry Fiber Foundation (UFF) is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the philanthropic arm of Upcountry Fiber. Founded in Spring 2022 by Upcountry Fiber’s two governing organizations: Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and WCFIBER, UFF established a permanent endowment that will enrich the lives of residents in the Upcountry Fiber and Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative service territories. UFF will proudly offer financial support to philanthropic organizations that serve the community in the interests of education, youth, culture, arts, health, and human services.

About Upcountry Fiber

Upcountry Fiber is a high-speed fiber internet provider to the five counties of Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg. Established in Fall 2020, Upcountry Fiber is the product of a partnership between Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and WCFIBER, a subsidiary of West Carolina Telephone Cooperative. Founded by organizations created to electrify and connect rural areas of South Carolina; decades later, Upcountry Fiber’s mission is to bridge the digital divide. Offering symmetrical internet speeds up to 1 Gbps over a fiber network, Upcountry Fiber has the fastest and most reliable high-speed internet in the area. To learn more about Upcountry Fiber, visit us at www.UpcountryFiber.com.