Doug Boone, CEO of Premier Communications of Sioux Center points to a map of northwest Iowa that still has deficient broadband internet services. Premier Communications wants to broaden its service into rural Plymouth County
(Le Mars) — Representatives from Premier Communications of Sioux Center appeared before the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to discuss installing fiber-optic cable for many Plymouth County rural regions. High speed broadband internet for all areas of Iowa is a priority set by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, and the Iowa legislature approved the funding of $100 million dollars for the upcoming fiscal year for the use of grants to help with companies install broadband internet in the rural areas. Doug Boone, CEO of Premier Communications informed the county governing board that they are seeking a grant from the state to begin work on installing internet to rural
Plymouth County. Boone says Premier Communications was requesting a resolution of support to help with the scoring of the grant, as well as a pledge for funding.
Boone says the targeted area of Plymouth County would include the rural areas surrounding Le Mars, Brunsville, Struble, Craig, and Merrill, and would include the mentioned communities. He says there are 1,362 locations identified within the proposed service area.
The Premier Communications official says that broadband internet wires would be buried.
Boone explains the total investment for the proposed project.
The board of supervisors gave their approval for a resolution of support for Premier Communications to pursue the grant, and also pledged $10,000 for assisting with the funding of the project.
