URBANA, IL – Chambana Today – Urbana Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin, and Champaign Mayor Deb Frank Feinen, joined County Administrator Steve Summers for a cord-cutting event at the Housing Authority of Champaign County, headquartered at 2008 N. Market St. This event launched a new broadband program that will serve thousands of underserved members of our community.
This program, which is made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA)-funded program, and designated by the County’s Broadband Committee, will bring next generation Wi-Fi to Housing Authority units across Champaign and Urbana. Inside 355 homes in six Housing Authority of Champaign County properties, families will have increased access to broadband, education, employment, and healthcare.
This initiative, known as VCHAP, is a collaboration between the Housing Authority of Champaign County, the Champaign County Board, and Volo Internet + Tech. The project is funded by $195,000 in ARPA funds designated by the Champaign County Board’s Broadband Task Force, as well as more than $132,000 in labor provide by Volo for installations, training, device management, and customer service. The Housing Authority is contributing more than $45,000 in labor to help coordinate installation.
Housing Authority of Champaign County CEO Lily Walton said, “This will help some our residents with telehealth needs. This will increase their access to employment opportunities. For school-aged children, this will increase their Wi-Fi ability for remote days, and when their school-issued Chromebooks require internet usage. Without this program, they could be left behind their peers in educational advances.”
Both Mayors Feinen and Marlin participated in a live “before-and-after” competition to demonstrate live the project’s impact. For more information on the project, and the designation of funds, visit the proposal on the Champaign County Board website.