Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana Broadband Office Designate Jefferson County a Broadband Ready Community

Today, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Broadband Office announced that Jefferson County is now designated as an official Broadband Ready Community. The Broadband Ready Communities Program was created as a tool to encourage broadband development throughout Indiana.

The Broadband Ready Community certification sends a signal to the telecommunication industry that a community has taken steps to reduce barriers to broadband infrastructure investment.

“We celebrate Jefferson County and recognize the community for its collaboration and prioritization of becoming a certified Broadband Ready Community,” Crouch said. “This program has a proven track record of helping communities attract broadband investment and remain competitive in the State of Indiana. Congratulations to the leaders of Jefferson County for their hard work.”

The certification was approved by the Indiana Broadband Office following the Jefferson County Commissioners adoption of a Broadband Ready Community ordinance.

“The Jefferson County Commissioners, Bobby Little, David Bramer, and Ron Lee are excited about becoming a Broadband Ready Community. We are ready and willing to work, prepare, and develop a strategy to include our whole county for broadband service and to prepare our future for this technological step forward for the community,” said Commissioner Ron Lee, President of Jefferson County Board of Commissioners. “The county has an established Broadband Taskforce that is working collectively within the county and with the community leaders. Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission’s Broadband Fellow, Reneisha Rudder, is working alongside Jefferson County in our goal of creating affordable and reliable service options for the entire county.”

According to Earnie Holtrey, Project Manager at the Indiana Broadband Office, communities with active Broadband Taskforces combined with the Broadband Ready Certification help elevate communities further.

“It’s great to see community leaders come together, address and prioritize broadband firsthand,” Holtrey said. “Jefferson County continues to work towards bringing affordable and reliable connectivity to its citizens. Congratulations!”

Via 2020 legislation, the Broadband Ready Community Program was transitioned from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). IBO began the day-to-day management of the Broadband Ready Community Program on July 1, 2020.  For more information, visit in.gov/indianabroadband.

Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as the Secretary of Rural Development, the Indiana Broadband Office (IBO) mission is to assist residents in need of affordable and reliable broadband connectivity. This mission of reaching Hoosiers where they live, work and play is accomplished by communicating with stakeholders, providing resources to a diverse audience, and leveraging established relationships with elected officials, associations, and providers.

For more information, visit in.gov/broadband.