(Council Bluffs) Pottawattamie County Officials expressed excitement around new developments that will make high-speed internet available to roughly 99 percent of Country residents by 2026.
Craig Carlson, Public Relations Manager, says the Empowerment Rural Iowa Broadband Network Program is an initiative from the Office of the Chief Information Office, a state agency. Carlson is excited about what this means for the county’s rural residents.
Carlson says they explored some different grant programs and initiatives to promote vendors from providers to get out into the rural areas.
Carlson says the program is aimed at soliciting applications from communications service providers for broadband infrastructure projects that will reduce or eliminate underserved areas in the state. In recent years, the program awarded bids to Western Iowa Networks, Marne Elk Horn, and Western Iowa Wireless, expanding broadband services in several parts of Pottawattamie County. New data shows those projects will ensure high-speed internet access to all but just over 100 addresses in the county.
According to data provided by OCIO, after pending projects are completed, Pottawattamie County will have over 34,000 addresses with access to high-speed internet service, with just over 116 addresses considered underserved or unserved customers.
Pending projects are scheduled for completion by September 2026. Residents will receive notifications from providers detailing the updated service available for purchase as projects are completed.
