Iowa Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, (left) and USDA Under Secretary Betty Brand (right) presents a certificate of appreciation to Premier Communications CEO, Doug Boone (center) for completion of the rural broadband internet connection utilizing the “Reconnect Grant” funds.
(Hawarden) — It was just last November when the U-S Department of Agriculture extended a $7.2 million dollar “Re-connect grant” to Premier Communications of Sioux Center to expand broadband internet to rural areas.
Today, a celebration was held at Land Mark Company of Hawarden for the connection process being completed. Several speakers were featured during the news conference event, including USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development,
Betty Brand and Iowa Lt. Governor Adam Gregg. During her address, Brand says being connected to the internet is a necessity for rural America.
Following the news conference, Brand told reporters she equates the need for broadband internet into the rural areas, much like when electricity and phone services were introduced and delivered to rural American homes in the 1930’s
and 40’s.
Premier Communications C-E-O, Doug Boone informed the gathering as to how much fiber optic cable has been installed since last November in order to connect rural Sioux County with the high speed broadband internet.
Lt. Governor Adam Gregg returned to his hometown of Hawarden for today’s announcement. Gregg says high speed broadband internet will help increase economic development in rural Iowa, and rural America.
Gregg says having connection to the broadband internet means being connected to the world. He says it will be essential for businesses to have internet access in rural areas in order to recruit young people to rural area jobs.
Gregg says the Iowa legislature has been very supportive of expanding broadband to the rural areas of the state. He says Governor Reynolds has also allocated some CARES Act funding to be directed towards expanding broadband internet in the rural areas of Iowa. Wednesday’s event was held at the Land Marc Construction offices, located north of Hawarden.
