Three new Indiana communities deemed ‘Broadband Ready’
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The Indiana Broadband Office and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced last week that three new Indiana communities are broadband ready.
Jennings County — along with Vernon and North Vernon, both in the county — are the latest in a long list of Indiana locations named Broadband Ready Communities.
The designation means these communities have taken steps to scale back barriers for investment in broadband infrastructure and is given after adoption of certain Broadband Ready Community ordinances.
Ernie Holtrey, deputy director of the Indiana Broadband Office, said in a news release that the new certification represents “a critical step in accessibility and connectivity” for the Jennings County area.
Local leaders in the county — including Vernon Mayor Wayne Zamora, North Vernon Mayor Mike Ochs and County Commissioners Matt Sporleder, Robert Willhite and Shane Boswell — said in the joint statement that they understand the value broadband brings to their community.
“Our goal is to let broadband providers know that our communities welcome more investment to increase access and affordability of high speed internet,” Jennings County leadership said. “Broadband will give rural citizens access to important updates from government agencies and emergency notifications in our area.”
The state says 85 communities across Indiana are now broadband ready.
“I am inspired by the commitment Jennings County as well as the City of North Vernon and the Town of Vernon are making towards broadband readiness,” Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said. “Local leaders in these three communities are investing and prioritizing in their residents and businesses now and for the future.”