City leaders are hyping an economic development announcement scheduled for this week but providing few details about what’s to come.

Fibrant — the city’s municipal Internet network — has scheduled an announcement at 2 p.m Thursday in Catawba College’s Tom Smith Auditorium. A news release about the event states: “After five years of building out its fiber network, Fibrant is ready to announce its next technology milestone.”

The news release further states Fibrant “has partnered with Calix, Inc., the world leaders in gigabit fiber deployments, and Catawba College, a local, private academic institution, to launch a major technological advancement for the City of Salisbury.”

State officials, local leaders and dignitaries are scheduled to attend. After the announcement, which will include multiple speakers, a question and answer session is scheduled.

City Council members, Catawba College and RowanWorks Economic Development Director Robert Van Geons have all declined to describe the event further than the basic information included in the news release. Everyone asked about the event did, however, stress the significance of Thursday’s announcement.

The news release says the announcement will involve a first in technology for North Carolina and the United States.

Fibrant was established in 2010 and offers gigabit Internet speeds. Approximately 3,300 customers in the City of Salisbury receive Internet, phone, TV or a combination of services from Fibrant.

Its base Internet package starts at $45 and offers 50 megabit speed, faster than traditional offerings at the same price point.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.