Shelby County designated broadband ready

The Indiana Broadband Office has designated Shelby County as an official Broadband Ready Community. The Broadband Ready Communities Program aims to encourage broadband development throughout Indiana.

“Congratulations to Shelby County for prioritizing broadband development and becoming a certified Indiana Broadband Ready Community,” said Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch. “As communities across the state enhance their broadband readiness and internet, our administration remains focused on helping them get reliable connectivity to underserved and unserved Hoosiers.”

The certification sends a signal to the telecommunication industry that a community is taking steps to reduce obstacles to broadband infrastructure investment.

“Our Task Force has been working with Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission on gathering information on the needs of Shelby County and its residents. We are looking forward to working with partners on developing a strategic plan to provide the most economical broadband expansion to our residents of Shelby County,” said Shelby County Commissioner Kevin Nigh. “With the changing times, our residents deserve the same opportunity as others to watch community meetings via the internet and find out what is taking place in the county so they can be more engaged. This will help our schools, students trying to do homework, and those from all corners of the county who have issues with fulfilling typical day-to-day activities due to lack of adequate internet service.”

The certification was approved by the Indiana Broadband Office after the county’s adoption of a Broadband Ready Community ordinance.

Earnie Holtrey, project manager at the Indiana Broadband Office, says Shelby County is the 71st Broadband Ready Community in the state to achieve the certification.