Vanderburgh County Commissioners Announce AT&T Rural Broadband Project 

Vanderburgh County Commissioners Announce AT&T Rural Broadband Project 

(Nearly $40 million projects deliver two and five Gbps symmetrical speeds) 

EVANSVILLE, IN. (September 28, 2021) – The Vanderburgh County Commission announces a nearly $40-million-dollar rural Broadband project with AT&T as the provider. “This project is an investment in the sustainable future of our rural community”, stated County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave. 

In response to a Vanderburgh County Request for Proposal, AT&T has been selected to provide broadband service for unincorporated Vanderburgh County. Of the $39.6 million investment, $9.9 million in public funding and $29.7 million is an investment by AT&T. Public funding is made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, federal dollars approved by the US Congress, and President Biden in spring 2021. 

The transformational project is an all-fiber solution that will bring high-speed broadband Internet to over 20,000 customer locations in two years or less. The service locations are unincorporated Vanderburgh County rural homes and businesses currently without broadband service or with inadequate service. Residents will have the option of up to 2 Gbps and businesses up to 5 Gbps symmetrical service. The project will be complete in two years and will provide services to an estimated 21,000 current residents, as well as providing potential future benefits in the form of job creation and economic development potential. 

“Internet service is as fundamental in today’s world as electricity and water. It is difficult to participate in today’s economy without uninterrupted, high-quality access to the Internet. Without Internet access, our children have restricted educational opportunities, our residents have less access to many resources, including banking and health care. Our rural community has been left behind due to the cost of providing wired Broadband access, much like they were a hundred years ago when electrical wires were first strung in cities, and only reaching the rural areas decades later”, stated Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave. 

“The prospect of moving from little or no service to excellent service is truly a transformational opportunity. Fiber to the home and business is the pinnacle technology in today’s world and is 305 ADMINISTRATION BLDG.  N.W. M. L. KING JR. BLVD.  CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX  EVANSVILLE IN 47708 PHONE: 812-435-5241 FAX: 812-435-5963 

considered “future proof” as well. Fiber delivers the best in speed and uninterrupted durability in Internet technology”, stated Commissioner Ben Shoulders. 

“We are thrilled to partner with AT&T to bring the best of today’s technology to our rural neighbors” stated Commissioner Jeff Hatfield. 

This Commission has taken solid steps to build a foundation for digital infrastructure. This project is a direct result of the 2018 Broadband Ready Ordinance, which received unanimous support. Vanderburgh County was one of the first in the state to achieve this designation. The ordinance removed barriers by creating a 10-day permitting process and create tax exemption for new broadband investment. 

This project follows earlier Broadband actions taken by the Vanderburgh County Commission, including the active pursuit of state grants and devoting local Tax Increment Finance District dollars to improve access in a northwestern portion of the county.