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Internet connectivity has grown to become vital for economic growth, education, and communication. Unfortunately, the best service long has been confined to urban areas. Howard County’s efforts to remedy this problem are starting to bear fruit.
Howard County Commissioners Jack Dodd and Brad Bray addressed their contemporaries on the county council last week with some good news. Broadband connectivity is becoming available in the county’s rural reaches.
Dodd explained that Howard County joined with its surrounding neighbors to pursue the state’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grants last year. Through that process, $30 million was awarded to the North Central Indiana Regional Planning Council, which includes Howard, Miami, Fulton, Cass, Tipton, and Clinton counties. From there, the council began submitting projects for funding.
“Our county decided as one of our projects we wanted to do broadband all across the county,” said Dodd. “Councilman (John) Roberts and I attended a meeting where some of those funds were starting to be allocated. Our first allocation was for broadband.”
Dodd and Bray pulled out an oversized check to illustrate the grant award. The council chuckled as the prop was unveiled and presented to Roberts.
“So, they gave us this big check for $1 million,” said Dodd. “They actually didn't give us $1 million, but the approval allows us as a county to start drawing against that money for our project.”
Howard County didn’t wait for the oversized check ceremony to begin work, however. Contractor BerryComm was awarded the installation contract last year, and the company went to work on constructing the fiber ring that will reach nearly every rural home in the county. The commissioners got to witness the service in action recently.
“A couple of weeks ago, the commissioners attended an open house for the broadband project,” said Dodd. “It is well underway. We have our customers hooking up to broadband. We went out to the Mast Farms. They are one of the first farms to hook up. They are very pleased.”
Bray explained that the wireless broadband service being installed far exceeds the service he currently receives.
“I thought 60 mb download speed was fast,” said Bray. “I was in the Masts’ pole barn getting 515 mb on wireless from the router in their house. It’s just phenomenal how fast the service is. The people are really happy with it. It’s pretty amazing.”
Cub Scouts grill commissioners on their job
The Howard County Commissioners welcomed some surprise guests to their meeting on April 3. Two Cub Scouts from Troop 3508, based at St. Joan of Arc Church, attended the meeting, accompanied by their pack leader, Daniel Carmel. After leading the meeting in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, Jeffrey and Spencer (last names withheld) asked the commissioners a few questions.
“They're currently working on a badge called ‘Building a Better World,’” Carmel explained. “This has a lot to do with community service related to things like learning flag protocol, doing a flag ceremony, and learning about the rule of law. But we're doing the fourth requirement which says meet with a government or community leader to talk to them about his or her role in the community and some important issues.”
Jeffrey asked the commissioners about the most important responsibility they have. Commissioner Jack Dodd explained the concept of representation.
“There are 85,000 people that live in Howard County,” said Dodd. “That's a lot of people. And we, as commissioners, are responsible to represent all 85,000. We oversee the administrative function of the entire county and that's a lot to do.”
Commissioner Brad Bray spelled out some of the commissioners’ specific duties, such as entering contracts and submitting budgets. And Commissioner Jeff Lipinski cited the board’s stewardship.
“We must be responsible to the citizens of Howard County and be a good steward of money for our county,” said Lipinski. “We try to do what's best for our county taxpayers.”
Spencer asked about qualifications to hold office, and the commissioners pointed out that each of them has differing education and backgrounds that help them perform the job. The boys then asked why each of the commissioners sought the job.
For Bray, it was a continuation of his service to the community following a career as a Kokomo firefighter and eight years as Howard County Coroner. Dodd explained that he has spent his entire working career helping people and wanted to continue doing that. Lipinksi said he does it for his family.
“My kids live in this community,” said Lipinski. “My grandkids live in this community. And I believe that most of them will live here the rest of their lives, I'll live here for the rest of my life. So, I want to try to make this a great place to live and work and live. That's the only reason I've done this.”