FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
What has been accomplished? Five years ago, Story County began working on expanding rural broadband throughout the county. As of this year resources have been secured to bring accessible and affordable broadband to 100% of the unincorporated areas in Story County. Much implementation has already been done, mainly in the southern and eastern parts of the county. The remainder of the new services will be built out in the next couple of years.
How did this happen? In 2021, Story County officials reached out to the Ames Regional Economic Alliance and our local, community-based, internet service providers (ISPs) to figure out how to achieve the goal of Broadband for All. As part of the plan that evolved, the county used $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to match grant applications submitted by the ISPs to the State Department of Management – Division of Information Technology. This effort brought over $10 million of state funds to the task of building out our fiber networks. A fixed wireless system is also being built in north-central Story County with county support.
“The level of cooperation we received from our locally owned and operated ISPs was outstanding,” said Linda Murken, Chair of the Story County Board of Supervisors. “They met with us numerous times to assess the needs in the county, aggressively went after funding to enable them to build out as quickly as possible, and are in the process of bringing accessible and affordable internet to all of rural Story County.”
Story County’s community-based ISP partners in this endeavor are:
- Huxley Communications Cooperative (HuxComm) – southern Story County
- Colo Telephone Company (ColoTel Fiber) – eastern and central Story County
- Minerva Valley Telephone Company – northeast and northcentral Story County
- Stratford Communications – northwest and northcentral Story County
The last area to receive funding for increased access is Franklin Township northwest of Ames. Earlier this year Mediacom was awarded state funds to build out broadband service in this area. Mediacom is currently finalizing the implementation plan.
County officials also worked with the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation to secure a grant from the Story County Community Foundation for the Story County Digital Equity Initiative. This program allows local libraries to loan hotspots and devices to families without adequate internet access.
Anyone interested in benefitting from these new services should contact the internet provider serving their area of the county.
Contact:
Linda Murken,
Story County Board of Supervisors
900 6th Street
Nevada, Iowa 50201
(515) 382-7200