lisa hicks gilbert is trying to bridge those divides with fiber optics.he internet. and definitely nothing works without internet. yet that's reliable. last year, gilbert returned to her hometown from little rock and is now program manager of a local nonprofit addressing rural disparities. she says when the pandemic hit, the slow service from the town's only provider practically brought it to a standstill. you had some people who had lost their jobs. they're trying to maybe sell jewelry, you know, get an online business. the children are trying to do homework. you realize how how inadequate the service is laying fiber lines in rural areas is costly. the smaller customer base means a smaller return on investment. that leaves rural communities in the dust. elaine has just been getting crumbs, and we can no longer allow that to continue to happen. for candace williams, an executive director at rural community alliance, and her nine year old son caleb lack of internet service during the pandemic forced them to drive a half hour each way daily to helena for ca