A broadband network/high-speed internet positively impacts commerce, education, health and public safety, cultural enrichment, government operations, and aids in countless conveniences and efficiencies in our lives. It is as critical to the future of economic growth as access to a telephone line.
During an intensive community action planning workday in 2021, Consultant Scott Rudd (Indiana's first Director of Broadband) made a presentation followed by education and guidance for local volunteers interested in achieving what would become their mission to "Bring High Speed Broadband to Every Acre of Pulaski County."
The Pulaski County Task Force was created with Kurt Dickey as Chair and members: Diana Day, Josh Stacy, Kathi Thompson, Nathan Origer, and Wendy Rose. The larger Broadband Council includes representatives from Indiana Farm Bureau, the Indiana Broadband office, K-IRPC, County Highway, County Commissioner, schools, hospital, realty, libraries, sheriff, and nonprofits.
Together, they coordinated a county-wide speed test effort, prepared grant support letters to assist providers, worked on mapping and strategic planning in addition to the Broadband Ready celebration with Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch in May of 2022.