News release from Decatur County REMC
Decatur County REMC is proud to announce progress in its attempt to bring high-speed internet access to underserved areas. While initial findings were promising from our feasibility study, it’s evident that additional resources are essential to realize this initiative without imposing financial burdens on our members.
First and foremost, Decatur County REMC is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with SEI Communications, a fellow member-owned cooperative with a shared dedication to providing affordable, high-quality services to our members. Brett Abplanalp, CEO of Decatur County
REMC states, “We are excited about the collaborative opportunities that lie ahead. Leveraging SEI Communications’ expertise in telecommunications in tandem with Decatur County REMC’s commitment to enhancing connectivity in our rural areas is a significant
achievement.” Tony Clark, CEO of SEI Communications adds, “Through this partnership, we are empowering the community to thrive in the digital age and driving economic development forward.”
With the completion of this significant milestone, we are proactively seeking different funding options to push us into the next phase. We’ve balready secured $500,000 from Decatur County ARPA Funds, pending approval for the fiber project. Furthermore, we submitted our application
for the State of Indiana’s Next Level Connect Grant on February 9. This grant is slated for award in early June.
It is important to emphasize that while significant progress has been made, the fiber project is not yet finalized. We remain committed to ensuring that sufficient grant funding is secured to meet the feasibility threshold before moving forward. Only at that point will the Fiber to the Home project officially commence.
Reflecting on our history of bringing essential services to rural communities, Decatur County REMC remains steadfast in its mission to overcome the connectivity barriers faced by our members. Abplanalp adds, “With Decatur County ranking among the top ten most underserved addresses in
the state, our dedication to bridging the broadband gap remains solid.”
For further inquiries or to learn more about our broadband initiative, please contact Decatur County REMC at 812-663-3391 or dcremc@dcremc.com.