Verizon to Bring Improved Cell Service to North Marianna

By: Shelia Mader

Verizon is exploring plans to improve spotty cell service near Marianna High School by partnering with Milestone Towers to construct a cell tower on school district property. The proposed tower would be located behind the school’s weight room and track and would generate shared rental revenue for the Jackson County School District.

Matthew Forkas spoke at a town-hall meeting recently, “These gaps were pretty strong. They did alert me and let me know that there were some community complaints as well. Some of their customers were experiencing some pretty unreliable service.”

 At that same meeting, Matthew White was the only resident to speak publicly in support of the project, citing persistent coverage issues in nearby neighborhoods. White, who lives in the Greenfield subdivision next to the school, said service is unreliable for many residents, particularly in the area behind the campus. “They have no service whatsoever,” White said, noting that some residents must rely on home internet to make calls. He also pointed to weak signals inside Marianna High School and the K-8 school, saying the tower would be “a great need in the area” and calling the project “a good thing” for students, staff, and surrounding families.

If approved, construction would begin later this year.