Expanding Broadband Access in Grant and Jay Counties with Mainstream Fiber
Grant County:
Grant County is taking significant steps toward expanding broadband access with the support of Mainstream Fiber. On October 21, the commissioners agreed to sign a Letter of Support for Mainstream Fiber’s BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) application.
The BEAD program is estimated to fund broadband for 1,294 unserved and underserved locations in Grant County. This marks the beginning of a broader county-wide broadband buildout by Mainstream Fiber, projected to cover 6,500 locations using 166 miles of fiber.
The total project cost is estimated at $10 million, with BEAD funding $1.8 million and Mainstream covering the remaining $8.2 million. Importantly, Grant County is only being asked to contribute by offering an Infrastructure Development Zone, allowing Mainstream Fiber to waive property taxes for a set period.
Jay County:
In Jay County, progress is underway as commissioners signed their Letter of Support for Mainstream Fiber’s BEAD application on October 28. This initiative aims to fund broadband for 184 unserved and underserved locations as the first step toward a county-wide buildout.
Mainstream Fiber plans to cover 2,049 locations using 127 miles of fiber. Working alongside partners such as Ritter Strategic Services, East Central Indiana Regional Planning District (ECI), and the Jay County Emergency Management Agency, the county is also developing a broadband-radio infrastructure project to further enhance connectivity.
Broader Impact
Mainstream Fiber is committed to supporting local communities by hiring and training local Hoosiers, fostering economic growth alongside improved connectivity. These projects signify a transformative step toward bridging the digital divide in East Central Indiana.
The Indiana Broadband Office (IBO) is expected to open their BEAD applications at the beginning of next year, and awards give after that, providing further clarity on these exciting broadband initiatives. Stay tuned for more updates!