The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners officially broke ground on the County’s Broadband Infrastructure Project this week. It will place an estimated 175 miles of conduit throughout Lancaster County, strategically routing to and between the county’s 12 incorporated cities and villages and 10 unincorporated communities.
Once this conduit is placed, telecommunications companies will be able to install fiber optic technology to bring services like ultra-high-speed internet to Lancaster County residents and businesses.
In January 2022, the County Board committed $10 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the development of broadband infrastructure in rural Lancaster County. Board members prioritized the project based on input received from the community on how to allocate ARPA funds.
“Extending the availability of fiber-based broadband beyond the limits of the City of Lincoln ensures digital equity by providing equivalent access to opportunities across all the diverse communities that make up Lancaster County,” says County Board Chair Christa Yoakum.
The project will be completed in multiple phases through 2023. The first phase of construction work started in the southwest part of the county and soon will expand throughout the other three quadrants.
(Photo: Lancaster County Board of Commissioners)