December 8, 2020
The Indiana Broadband Office today announced that Owen County and the Town of Spencer are now designated as Broadband Ready Communities.
“It is wonderful to see these Hoosier communities make a broadband strategy as Owen County and the Town of Spencer receive their Broadband Ready Community certification,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “Indiana’s broadband expansion efforts are growing, and this is an integral and essential piece in ensuring our communities are ready for further expansion, investment and opportunities.”
In October, the Board of Commissioners of Owen County and the Spencer Town Council adopted their Broadband Ready Community ordinances and submitted them to OCRA for review.
"The Town of Spencer is thrilled about becoming a Broadband Ready Community. This initiative will continue to unite our town as well as our county. Our students can now look forward to having more resources available to them to advance their education and prepare for the workforce. This designation opens the door of opportunity for our community! We are thrilled about the potential this designation brings," said Michael Spinks, Spencer Town Council President.
"As Commissioner, it is very gratifying to be a broadband ready community. This opportunity will help our county businesses, schools, and county government grow. Most importantly, with E-learning being such a big part of our students lives today, we will be able reach more homes with these services. Thanks to Gov. Holcomb and Lt. Gov. Crouch for making this possible," stated Gary Burton, Owen County commissioner.
"It's great to see rural communities like Owen County and the Town of Spencer take these steps to bring affordable and reliable broadband access to their residents," said Scott Rudd, Director of the Indiana Broadband Office. "As one of the counties with projects awarded through the Next Level Connections Broadband Program, Owen County should be commended for their commitment to broadband development. Their designation as a Broadband Ready Community further illustrates that commitment."
“I commend the leadership of the Town of Spencer and Owen County for taking a strategic and collaborative step to help improve the quality of life for its residents” said Matt Crouch, Deputy Director of the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. “This designation will help attract future broadband investment in both these areas and I’m excited for both areas to begin to close their broadband gaps.”
To date, 36 communities have received Broadband Ready Community designation. The Indiana Broadband Office (IBO) began managing the Broadband Ready Community program in July.
Broadband Ready Community Background
The Broadband Ready Communities Program was created as a tool to encourage broadband development throughout Indiana by serving as an information resource and certifying local communities as being broadband ready. The Broadband Ready Community certification sends a signal to the telecommunication industry that a community has taken steps to reduce barriers to broadband infrastructure investment. While investment in broadband infrastructure is not guaranteed to follow once a community obtains the certification, reducing the regulatory hurdles that deter investment is a key step towards creating an environment ripe for broadband investment.
For more information, visit IBO BBRC