Fiber optics project moving forward

Talk about it

The Lake County Fiber Initiative moved another step forward Tuesday at a Lake County Board of Commissioners meeting.

The board passed a resolution to authorize payment in the amount of $5,000 to National Public Broadband for a telephone marketing survey, in conjunction with the Lake County Fiber Initiative per agreement.

National Public Broadband consists of the companies ValleyNet, Development Strategies and Resources Inc. and Eureka Broadband.

The group would conduct a marketing survey, by phone, and also help get funding in the initial phase.

Chris Swanson, who originally proposed the initiative, said he has talked to many local groups and organizations and has “not had one negative response,” to the fiber initiative.

One item that was discussed was doing more public relations for the project.

Swanson said a lot of people think the project is just for the internet, but it’s also for phone and television services.

This project may involve more than Lake County.

The project could be a partnership with St. Louis and Cook counties as well.

According to the original proposal for the project, fiber optics are important for economic development and will prepare the community for a strong communication utility for years to come.

Fiber optics projects for small communities aren’t necessarily unusual, but at a county-wide level, it’s very unique.

“It’s been done a lot in small communities,” said Gary Fields of Development Strategies at a recent County Board meeting. “What’s unusual [about this project] is that it’s county-wide.”

In other county board news:

- Representatives of the Lake County Day Activity Center said the group is facing declining enrollment and a 2.5 percent reduction financially.

There are also changes to the recycling market which is not helping - there’s not as much business.

One of the reasons for the decrease in clientele is because of aging.

Tags: county board, lake county, news