Funds Released for Improved Rural Broadband Service

We told you earlier that funding has been released for improved rural broadband service in the Montrose area.

Now, $50 million in "Connect Illinois" program funds are being released as part of the "Rebuild Illinois" capital improvements program. The state dollars will be paired with $65 million in non-state funds.

Among the recipients are Illinois Fiber Connect, which will use a $4,874,174 grant to provide service to 207 unserved households, businesses, farms, and community anchor institutions in Beecher City and 637 unserved households, businesses, farms and community anchor institutions in the area south of Effingham.

Mediacom is receiving a $249,424 grant to provide service to 248 customers in Edgewood.

Wabash Telephone Company will use a $1,591,098 grant  to provide service to 659 customers in Clay County.

The projects are designed to provide advanced, high-speed broadband services to households, businesses and farms, as well as improved access to critical school e-learning applications. The service is also hoped to allow farmers to improve both quality and efficiency and become more competitive.