“We are getting a better understanding of where broadband is and isn’t.”
Paul Sachs, Ottawa County Director of Strategic impact says thousands of Ottawa County homes have no access or their broadband service is inadequate. The exact number is unknown.
“We are at about 6,000 households, but we know in the county there are more households than that.”
With the help of state and federal money the county is adding hundreds of miles of fiber optic cables to connect unserved or underserved residents. Internet provider 123Inc. will install the cable. CEO Dan Irvin says they will offer broadband to everyone along the way.
“Anyone we build past, we want them to be our customer.”
Paul Sachs says residents can visit the county website for links to learn if they are in an area considered un or underserved and challenge the map if necessary.
“Go into a web portal type in their address and the FCC map will say you are served. A resident will go that is not true and they can challenge it.”
The goal is have high speed broadband available everywhere in the county by the end of 2026.
“We are not going to let our foot off the gas on this project.”
