Created only a few weeks ago, the Bartholomew County Broadband Initiative Committee has already recruited 13 members and is offering a survey to rural and urban residents on internet/broadband needs.
Headed by Bartholomew County Commissioner-elect Tony London, the committee includes elected county officials and a representative of the city of Columbus, as well as professionals in information technology, education, economic development, and health care.
Since Bartholomew County REMC will likely play a prominent role in the future of broadband capacity in rural areas, a representative of the electrical cooperative has also been placed on the committee, London said.
Many in the group have already spent a considerable amount of time to identify underserved areas, as well as attempt to attract service providers capable of expanded service and higher speed options, said London. He will replace District 3 County Commissioner Rick Flohr next year.
While the committee has not formally met at this time, individual members have been busy using email to share information they have already obtained in recent years, London said.
County officials have been feeling increasing pressure to support rural broadband internet access since March, when students throughout Bartholomew County began virtual classes at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz said.
"People are so excited that I’ve had hundreds and hundreds of responses to me directly, thanking us for getting the ball rolling on this," London said. "There are literally thousands of homes in this county that don’t have the network capability to deal with what is happening now – not to mention what will happen five years from now."
While the commissioners insist they don’t want to compete with companies or create a broadband utility, they do feel county government will likely have to make an investment or commitment in bringing internet access throughout the county. Several counties have been using federal money from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support broadband initiatives, but Kleinhenz said the county will have to act quickly while CARES funds are still available.
Up to $450,000 in CARES fund may currently be available to help fund the countywide broadband initiative, county Auditor Pia O’Connor said last month. There are also state government grants that provide $40,000 to $50,000 for communities to hire engineering firms to help with broadband service, Kleinhenz said.
The next step for the initiative has already been developed by Dr. Roberto Gallardo, assistant director of the Purdue Center for Regional Development, London said. It is a survey put together for Bartholomew County that will be available through Jan. 4, London said. The Purdue professor will analyze the survey and present results in mid-January that will reveal not only what the need is for broadband internet, but also where that need is, London said.
"(Gallardo) basically wrote the book on this issue, and has been instrumental in getting this matter solved in several other counties," London said.
While London says Gallardo needs as many Bartholomew County residents as possible to fill out the survey, respondents are limited to one per household.
For those who have access to the internet through work or an acquaintance, a link to the survey can be found on the home page of the Bartholomew County government homepage (bartholomew.in.gov). Labeled "Bartholomew County Broadband Interview County Resident Internet Service Survey," the link is on the scroll found in the lower right hand corner of the home page.
Another link can be found by going to the Bartholomew County Broadband Initiative page on Facebook. For those without direct internet access, the survey can be taken by following the Facebook link on a smart phone, London said.
More information can be obtained by contacting the Bartholomew County Commissioner’s office at 812-379-1515.
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A total of 13 people have been selected to serve on the Bartholomew County Broadband Initiative Committee.
- Tony London, Bartholomew County commissioner-elect (chairman)
- Scott Mayes, Bartholomew County information technology director
- Pia O’Connor, Bartholomew County auditor
- George Morales, Bartholomew County Council
- Matt Miller, Bartholomew County Council
- Nick Williams, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.
- Jason Hester, president of the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corp.
- Cindy Frey, president of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce
- Chancellor Steven Combs, Ivy Tech Community College
- Kyle Hendricks, The Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County
- Robin Hilber, City of Columbus Community Development
- Julie Abedian, Columbus Regional Health
- Courtney Metzger, Bartholomew County REMC
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For those who have access to the internet through work or an acquaintance, a link to the survey can be found on the home page of the Bartholomew County government homepage (bartholomew.in.gov). Labeled "Bartholomew County Broadband Interview County Resident Internet Service Survey," the link is on the scroll found in the lower right hand corner of the home page.
Another link can be found by going to the Bartholomew County Broadband Initiative page on Facebook. For those without direct internet access, the survey can be taken by following the Facebook link on a smart phone, London said.
More information can be obtained by contacting the Bartholomew County Commissioner’s office at 812-379-1515.
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