CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Local farmers, elected officials, and a local internet company were all on hand this morning to unveil a network of 124 miles of fiber backbone cabling carrying gigabit internet speeds.
The network will soon cover all of rural Champaign County underground, making communication easier for thousands of people across central Illinois. The fiber project is called “Connect Champaign County” and 2,086 total developed or undeveloped locations will be helped by this project, including 596 existing homes, farms, and businesses.
Illinois State Senator Paul Faraci talked about why “Connect Champaign County” is so important: “This project is bridging the digital divide in the county. Heathcare and education will have expanded, remote capabilities for the rural parts of our county.”
The project was made possible by a variety of groups. Phase I of the project carries a $13.1 million price tag: $7.1M came from the State of Illinois’ Office of Broadband, $4.7M was allocated from Champaign County’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, and $1.3M was contributed from Urbana-based internet service provider, Volo Internet + Tech, in leveraged matching funds.
Volo President Peter Folk reinforced why rural areas have a crucial need for connectivity. “Internet access has become a necessity, much like electricity, the telephone, and water. This is only phase one of the project. By the end of next year, it is our goal that every home and business in the remote parts of the county should have access to the internet.”
Members of the broadband team were on hand this morning for the announcement: Champaign County Board members Leah Taylor, Jennifer Locke, and Samantha Carter; Bailey Conrady, from the Champaign County Farm Bureau; Devin Braunstein from the Illinois Office of Broadband; and Steve Sommers, the Champaign County Executive.