Metrostat borrowed $500,000 from the great lending institutions Jackson County and the Town of Sylva in 2004. Then, they couldn’t even pay back the interest as it accrued. When Metrostat closed, the taxpayers got a bunch of fiber optics wires in return for the economic development incentives. Now, BalsamWest and Dnet have offered to pay the local governments $75,000 for the lines plus a share of sign-up fees for the expanded internet service they hope to provide. The offer is up for upset bids.