(Le Mars) — During the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors meeting held on Tuesday, officials with Premier Communications of Sioux Center informed the county governing board the communications company was awarded a grant amounting to $7.4 million dollars to install fiber optic high-speed broadband internet to rural regions of Plymouth County. Ryan Boone informed the supervisors the area would involve the rural regions of Le Mars, Merrill, Brunsville, Craig, and Struble. Boone says there are 1300 identified locations within the specified region. Boone says there is good news and disappointing news about the pending grant. The good news was the communications company was awarded the grant. However, the disappointing news was it was at a 35 percent level of funding, rather than the requested 50 percent. .
Boone explained to the county supervisors the total cost for installation with the 35 percent grant worth $7.4 million dollars.
That difference amounts to around $3 million dollars that Premier Communications is requesting from the county in order to serve a large portion of rural Plymouth County. The Premier Communications official acknowledged the $3 million dollars is a large commitment. However, he offered some suggestions to the county board as to how they may be able to help finance the project.
Boone indicated to the county supervisors that the state was providing a short turn-a-round time to respond and act on the awarded grant.
Premier Communications officials were asked if they thought they could secure additional loans or grants for the project, and Boone responded by saying probably not given the short time table. The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors decided to table the issue until next week’s meeting.
