Improved Internet Access Coming to Thayer County: Broadband Project Set to Begin

Rural Prosperity Nebraska, a division of Nebraska Extension, is working on a broadband project for remote residents of Thayer County. The initiative, referred to as 'last-mile funding,' is designed to offer reliable and affordable internet service in rural areas where connectivity is typically unreliable. Jason Tuller, an Extension educator with Rural Prosperity Nebraska, emphasized the project's importance, noting the lack of fast, affordable internet service in the county.

The project is a joint effort between Thayer County Economic Development and Glenwood, a local telecommunications company. They received a 25/75 grant, with Glenwood funding 25% of the cost and Thayer County matching this with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program, a state initiative, covers the remaining 50% of the project's cost. This program supports the expansion of broadband networks for Nebraskans who lack adequate service.

The Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program approved funding for 22 projects earlier this year, totaling nearly $20 million. The Thayer County project, scheduled to start in late March or early April and finish by autumn, will add about 50 miles of fiber. This fiber will extend from an existing line along Highway 81 towards Gilead, Alexandria, and Carleton, providing broadband access to 54 homes.

Carley Bruning, the executive director of Thayer County Economic Development, stressed the project's necessity, equating internet access to running water. According to Tuller, the most difficult part of the project was identifying the residents who lack adequate service. The county's broadband action team was instrumental in this process, helping to identify the areas that would benefit most from the project.

Bruning is hopeful about the project's impact, with funding secured and work set to begin soon. The initiative is an important step in improving digital access in rural Nebraska, providing residents with the reliable internet access needed in today's world.

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