COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Bartholomew County Council has successfully concluded an over two-year effort that will lead to countywide broadband service.
A second and final vote to make all unincorporated areas of Bartholomew County an economic revitalization area was passed by the council Monday evening. It was nearly three-and-a-half hours after the meeting began that the council also passed a tax abatement for 20-years for Hoosier Network, LLC, a part of Meridiam Infrastructure North America Corp.
The final votes on both issues were both approved with a vote of six in favor, with one abstention. Council member Bill Lentz did not vote because he has a contract with an internet provider.
Both votes gives Meridiam, an internet investment company, the green light to begin investing about $33 million, with an initial goal of reaching 11,845 homes over the next two-and-a-half years, Bartholomew County Commissioner Tony London said. The county is investing $4 million it received from the federal government for COVID-19 relief to reach several remote locations.
Among the many who spoke strongly in favor of the agreement with Meridiam were Cummins Inc. Director of Corporate Responsibility Jim Schacht, Bartholomew Consolidated Schools Director of Information Technology Nick Williams and Robin Hilber of the city’s Community Development depatment.
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
