Lt. Gov. Crouch Indiana Broadband Office designate LaPorte County as a Broadband Ready Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                          Jan. 11, 2021


Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana Broadband Office designate
LaPorte County as a Broadband Ready Community

 

INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 11, 2022) – Today, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Broadband Office announced that LaPorte 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.

“Congratulations to the LaPorte County Board of Commissioners on this significant milestone and for taking the steps to prioritize broadband investment,” Crouch said. “This past year proved great success for the Broadband Ready Community Program and we anticipate another great year in 2022.”

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

“We are thankful for the vision and commitment that the State of Indiana and Lt. Governor Crouch has demonstrated by creating this designation. This designation sends a clear message about LaPorte County’s focus on addressing this complex issue which affects quality of life and our growth potential,” said Sheila Matias, President of the LaPorte County Board of Commissioners. “Our volunteers on the LaPorte County Rural Broadband Task Force are all pulling in the same direction and have contributed countless hours to move our community’s broadband analysis forward.”

According to Earnie Holtrey, Project Manager at the Indiana Broadband Office, LaPorte County is the first Broadband Ready Community certified in 2022.

“Congratulations to LaPorte County for starting the year off on strong and for setting your community and our state up for further broadband access,” Holtrey said.

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.

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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.