The Greene County Economic Development Corporation’s mission to bring fiber-optic internet countywide appears to be a reality, according to a March 19 announcement.
The organization and Frontier Communications announced this morning that they have received $24.7 million from the Connect illinois grant program to install fiber optic internet to the vast majority of the county. Under the grant program, the fiber optic installation project will be completed within two years.
Frontier also announced that the city of Carrollton will have fiber optic internet installed by the end of the year. The total investment in the two projects exceeds US$45 million.
Pat Pinkston of the Greene County Economic Development Group said this announcement is the culmination of three years of work: “More than three years ago, we convened a group to look at how to improve broadband in Greene County, with the goal of is to deliver fiber optic broadband to all citizens and locations in the county. We are fortunate to now have a historic program that is federally funded but funded through the Illinois Broadband Office to achieve this goal – bringing fiber optic internet to Bringing it to your doorstep. We announced that we will provide fiber broadband to more than 95% of the homes and businesses in Greene County and the City of Carrollton. It has been a long and difficult journey, but we are very excited about this opportunity and believe it will This is a historic moment for the people of Greene County.”
The cities of Ruedhouse and Whitehall will receive connections from the project only if they are in close proximity to the connection line. The portion of Rockbridge near Macoupin County broadband service also will not be part of the project. Pinkston said connections are being made with all of these communities to help connect the county.
Pinkston said the organization was lucky because the project was funded entirely by grants and private donations: “There were no taxes involved. The vast majority of it (with the exception of $100,000) came from a grant funded by Frontier Communications, many of which A large portion, along with grants through the American Rescue Plan Act, went to the state and the Connect Illinois program, and then $100,000 in private donations — some from towns and counties. The vast majority came from the Tracy Foundation and others private donations from people who stepped up to help us pay our portion [of the grant] to demonstrate our commitment to the project. This has no impact on local tax revenue. “
Customers looking to get fiber to their home in Greene County can visit frontier.com to learn about rates for the service. Pinkston said its affordability and competitive rates are expected to save county citizens a total of $1 million a year on their internet bills. For more information, visit gcedg.com or email greenecountybroadbandproject@gmail.com.