Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch was in Pulaski County Wednesday afternoon to help community leaders celebrate the county’s designation as a Broadband Ready Community.
Pulaski County was designated as a Broadband Ready Community in February of this year. The Broadband Ready Community certification sends a signal to the telecommunication industry that a community has taken steps to reduce barriers to broadband infrastructure investment.
Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch said this initiative will be a big step in rural Pulaski County.
“Rural Indiana is our next great economic frontier, but to unlock that economic opportunity we need broadband” said Crouch. “We saw during COVID that being connected is no longer a luxury. It’s essential. Being connected here in Pulaski County is huge.”
Community Foundation of Pulaski County and the Pulaski County Community Development Commission hosted the event that featured Broadband Task Force Chair Kurt Dickey, Scott Rudd from Rudd Consulting, Inc., and representatives from LightStream, Mercury Broadband, RTC Communications, and NextLink who will be investing in broadband services to Pulaski County in this effort.
Community Foundation of Pulaski County Executive Director Wendy Rose discussed Lilly Endowment Inc.’s support that grew into the “Aspirations in Action” Steering Committee that identified broadband, housing, downtown development and recreation as key impact areas. The Aspirations in Action plans align with the Pulaski County Community Development Commission’s strategic plan, and the efforts being led by community-driven task forces under the Community Foundation.
Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer commented that broadband is critical to economic development. Lt. Governor Crouch responded to that statement.
Crouch stated, “It’s a huge agriculture community and when we can utilize that smart technology and have that on our farms it will unlock economic opportunity here in Pulaski County.”
She commented that when people and businesses seek a rural setting, Pulaski County will be ready to assist in that transition with broadband capabilities.
