Community Broadband
Connect Massac Works Toward Better Broadband Accessibility
Originally featured in The Metropolis Planet on April 18, 2024
Members of the Connect Massac steering committee members included Alexis Shreves, Stewart Weisenberger, Tiffany Korte, Dr. Vickie Artman, Jayson Farmer, Chad Murray, Kaley McGinnis, Micah Tolbert, Maggie Rzechula, Don Robbins, David Christian and Cliff Easter. Photo by Terra Temple / The Metropolis Planet. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how important dependable internet access is for work, education, health care, communication and everyday life. It also highlighted the challenges faced by households and communities that do not have access to a reliable broadband connection.
Connect Massac was formed to help identify broadband needs throughout Massac County and support efforts to expand access. The steering committee was organized through the Massac County Commission and State Representative Patrick Windhorst, bringing local leaders and community representatives together to gather information for a Broadband Breakthrough Planning Grant.
The planning effort focused on understanding where service gaps existed, collecting feedback from residents and developing a path toward better broadband availability across the county. State Representative Windhorst described broadband access as a modern necessity for rural communities seeking to grow and flourish.
Community Input Helped Guide the Process In April 2024, Connect Massac hosted a public informational meeting at First Baptist Church in Metropolis. Representatives from the Benton Institute for Broadband and the University of Illinois were invited to explain the planning program, answer questions and discuss the community broadband survey.
The survey gathered information to support a grant application aimed at improving broadband access in Massac County. Paper surveys were made available at public locations throughout the county, and residents could also respond online.
Local Commitment to Better Broadband David Christian of Metro Service Center served on the Connect Massac steering committee. Through Metro Service Center and the MetroFiber® brand, the company continues working to expand fast, reliable and locally supported broadband service throughout Massac County and rural Southern Illinois.
Source: “Connect Massac working toward better broadband accessibility,” by Terra Temple, The Metropolis Planet, Vol. 159, No. 16, April 18, 2024. The uploaded clipping contains the front-page portion of the article; the continuation on Page A4 was not included.
Connect Massac Works Toward Better Broadband Accessibility
Originally featured in The Metropolis Planet on April 18, 2024
Members of the Connect Massac steering committee members included Alexis Shreves, Stewart Weisenberger, Tiffany Korte, Dr. Vickie Artman, Jayson Farmer, Chad Murray, Kaley McGinnis, Micah Tolbert, Maggie Rzechula, Don Robbins, David Christian and Cliff Easter. Photo by Terra Temple / The Metropolis Planet. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how important dependable internet access is for work, education, health care, communication and everyday life. It also highlighted the challenges faced by households and communities that do not have access to a reliable broadband connection.
Connect Massac was formed to help identify broadband needs throughout Massac County and support efforts to expand access. The steering committee was organized through the Massac County Commission and State Representative Patrick Windhorst, bringing local leaders and community representatives together to gather information for a Broadband Breakthrough Planning Grant.
The planning effort focused on understanding where service gaps existed, collecting feedback from residents and developing a path toward better broadband availability across the county. State Representative Windhorst described broadband access as a modern necessity for rural communities seeking to grow and flourish.
Community Input Helped Guide the Process In April 2024, Connect Massac hosted a public informational meeting at First Baptist Church in Metropolis. Representatives from the Benton Institute for Broadband and the University of Illinois were invited to explain the planning program, answer questions and discuss the community broadband survey.
The survey gathered information to support a grant application aimed at improving broadband access in Massac County. Paper surveys were made available at public locations throughout the county, and residents could also respond online.
Local Commitment to Better Broadband David Christian of Metro Service Center served on the Connect Massac steering committee. Through Metro Service Center and the MetroFiber® brand, the company continues working to expand fast, reliable and locally supported broadband service throughout Massac County and rural Southern Illinois.
Source: “Connect Massac working toward better broadband accessibility,” by Terra Temple, The Metropolis Planet, Vol. 159, No. 16, April 18, 2024. The uploaded clipping contains the front-page portion of the article; the continuation on Page A4 was not included.
Our focus is to reduce the digital divide and provide residents of Massac County with reliable and affordable high-speed broadband internet. Equitable access strengthens our community, promotes economic development, and enhances educational opportunities.
Our vison:
To bridge the digital divide and bring fast, reliable affordable broadband internet access to every home, business, and farm in Massac County.
To bridge the digital divide and bring fast, reliable affordable broadband internet access to every home, business, and farm in Massac County.
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We are conducting a brief, confidential survey to better understand the Massac County residents’ current experiences and future needs. Your participation is crucial and will help us develop strategies focused on providing improved broadband infrastructure for Massac County, as well as to help improve pushing out public safety information.
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Scan QR Code for the Survey, or visit one of our participating locations for a paper copy:
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Call or email for information at 618-522-0210 or [email protected]
