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Monday | October 19, 2020
All News

ELIZABETH – A $14 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will accelerate buildout of high-speed fiber internet to rural areas by Jo-Carroll Energy’s broadband division, Sand Prairie.

USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand was in Elizabeth on Monday, Oct. 19 to announce the investment to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Illinois. The grant is part of the $550 million Congress allocated to the second round of the ReConnect program.

“In this day and age, all of America needs robust, modern infrastructure to thrive. This is a necessity and not an amenity,” Brand said. “This pandemic has only highlighted the digital divide even more.”

“If you have access to high-speed broadband internet, you can incorporate precision agriculture technology into your agribusiness. You can participate in distance learning, both for you and your children or grandchildren. You can access life-saving medical services remotely using telemedicine. And, you can continue to run your business and keep your staff employed all from your home,” she continued. “The USDA is fully committed to deploying high-speed internet e-connectivity to the nation’s rural communities for all of those reasons.”

Jo-Carroll Energy and Sand Prairie will use the $14 million grant to bring high-speed fiber broadband access to an area covering approximately 250 square miles in portions of Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll and Whiteside counties.

Mike Casper, JCE president and CEO, thanked the USDA for recognizing the importance of high-speed broadband in rural America.

Asked the question what the grant means to members, Casper said, “Two simple words, the future. Successful growth in rural America and economic development depends on a robust infrastructure, fiber being an essential component.”

Echoing Brand’s earlier comments, Casper noted the impact fiber will have on agriculture, education and telemedicine.

“With rural high-speed broadband, our farming community can, more broadly, utilize advanced technologies to improve efficiencies,” Casper continued. “Our commercial and industrial members will be on a level playing field with their urban and global competitors. More of our members can successfully work, improve their education and receive medical care from home while enjoying the beauty and safety of rural America.”

Brand said the USDA is committed to leveraging all available resources and being a strong partner to rural communities in deploying high-speed broadband e-connectivity to the people, businesses and community facilities that don’t yet have access.

“Jo-Carroll is setting a great example for the rest of the country right here in Illinois,” Brand said. “They are showing that no household, no business, no person should be left behind in this critical infrastructure deployment.”

To view a map of the grant areas, visit https://connectsp.com/fiber/communities/usda2020

To read the USDA press release visit https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2020/10/19/trump-administration-invests-14-million-high-speed-broadband-rural

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  • My Account
    • Manage My Account
      • Account Management
      • Bill Payment Options
        • Energy Assistance
    • Member Info
      • Capital Credits
      • Co-op Connections Program
      • Programs
      • Scam Awareness
  • Services
    • Divisions
      • Electric Service
      • Natural Gas Service
      • Sand Prairie Internet
    • Services
      • Start or Stop Service
      • New Service Construction
      • FirstCall
  • My Community
    • Commitment to Community
      • Economic Development
      • Member Involvement
      • Member Appreciation Days
      • Donations and Sponsorships
      • Donations and Sponsorships
      • Donations and Sponsorships
      • ‘Sharing Success’ grant applications now being accepted
    • For Our Students
      • JCE Scholarship Program
      • Teacher Resources
      • Youth to Washington
    • Coloring Contest
    • Photo contest
  • My Co-op
    • About The Co-op
      • About JCE
      • Board of Directors
        • Director Elections
      • Financials
      • Contact Us
      • Employment
      • Cooperative Principles
    • Programs and Events
      • Annual Meeting
      • Minutes & Bylaws
      • Touchstone Energy
      • News & Resources
        • Bill Inserts
        • Hi-Lines Newsletter
        • Pilot Light
      • Co-ops Vote
  • Energy Solutions
    • Renewable Energy
      • Distributed Generation
      • Evergreen
      • Solar Energy
      • Community Solar
      • South View Solar Farm
    • Beneficial Electrification
      • Geothermal
      • Drive Electric
      • Lawn Care
    • The Energy Detective
      • The Energy Detective
        • Small Business and Agriculture Energy Audits
        • Kill-A-Watt Meters
      • Energy Analysis Program
      • Energy Efficiency Incentives
      • Demand Response
      • Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Programs
  • Safety