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NEWS

After redesigning the county’s web site as an information and service platform, which was the first investment in the county’s online presence in 25 years, Sheila then convened the LaPorte County Broadband Task Force which has taken responsibility for developing a strategy to ensure equity in broadband access to every home and business in LaPorte County. While "a very heavy lift" as she calls it, Matias has illustrated that even the most complex issues can be broken into manageable parts with a collaborative approach and teamwork.

Sheila stated, “Our goal is hefty and will take time to implement. But we aren’t backing down because it’s complex and difficult. We’re focused on developing effective strategies to address the ‘digital divide’. It’s clear that we aren’t unique in having the systemic problem of unserved rural residents who, through no fault of their own, are victims of a broadband network built to favor the business model of ISP’s (internet service providers) who profit by building infrastructure in the densely populated geographies."

The members of the Task Force, all volunteers selected for their expertise and serving as a think tank, are listed below.

The broadband task force has held meetings, and seminars with experts in the field who have experience in regional broadband strategies. Dr. Roberto Gaillardo from Purdue University was one of our guiding experts because of his work on this issue across the Midwest.

The group assisted in the writing of three state grants and while the first two were unsuccessful and showed that this effort is challenging, the task force is currently waiting to hear if they had been selected as a finalist in the third round of state/ federal funding which could serve to bring a Fiber to the Premise solution to all currently unserved residents of LaPorte County.

In addition to the active grant writing in cooperation with the three private firms, ACME Communications, Inc., Surf Broadband and Comcast, the Task Force has also convened more than a dozen of interactive workshops with firms that are involved in having designed a proactive solution for these geographically challenged rural areas. Each workshop was helpful in educating our task force but also served to encourage further investment by current providers. Strategies other communities have used to resolve this massive challenge were shared.

Using online survey tools, the task force has been gathering critical data to identify under-served areas within LaPorte County. Online surveys were created and shared with county businesses and residents who gave data on their property, as well as upload and download speeds which we have mapped on a county GIS broadband map. The County now has accurate data that shows the gaps in broadband service. As a result of this complex work, this GIS mapping is serving as supporting information for our grant applications for the Fiber to the Premise solutions we need. A grant from the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte has funded a Fiber to the Premise engineering plan, construction cost estimate and feasibility report that provides our task force detailed specifics on a public-private solution if funding is available. While it is abundantly clear that potential solutions have pros and cons, our goal is to ensure that LaPorte County be seen as a leader in building a fiber-connected community in order to remain a competitor for future investment and job creation.

Because of this in-depth planning, LaPorte County is a strong position to secure funding from the newly passed Federal Infrastructure Bill. 

Thanks, Commissioner Matias for your leadership. And thanks to the members of the Task Force.