Have you ever heard the saying “If you want something done right, do it yourself?” That’s what LaGrange County REMC did over 85 years ago. LaGrange County REMC was the first one to bring power to the rural communities in our area that had been ignored by large, investor-owned electric utilities in the 1930s. Today, we continue strong in our mission to help support rural communities and improve the quality of life of our families and our neighbors.
In our 85th anniversary year, we have plenty of reasons to celebrate. Together with each of our members, we are breaking ground once again by bringing high-speed fiber internet to the communities we serve. This is a significant milestone for our cooperative. Echoing our efforts of the past, we are rolling up our sleeves to provide a solution for members who need a reliable connection to the internet but live in areas where the only available choices — such as satellite internet — are slow, intermittent and oftentimes cost-prohibitive, leaving many with a subpar connection or no access at all.
With a $5 million grant from LaGrange County Major Moves and a $1.63 million grant received from the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, we are again doing what the larger players in our industry will not — bringing high-quality broadband internet to underserved and unserved areas of our communities. In a recent press release, Bill Bradley, president and CEO of the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation, explained that the arrival of the new fiber optic broadband network will give local businesses a competitive edge. He said, “It will bring us into the 21st century with access to quality high-speed internet for the citizens of LaGrange County.”
High-speed broadband is a powerful tool to help support business growth and level the playing field for every person in LaGrange County — from a student engaged in distance learning or an employee working remotely to a family wishing to stay connected and enjoy entertainment and gaming and beyond. Fiber broadband will bring a reliable, stable and affordable connection that will once again propel us forward and change lives for the better. And that is a significant reason for us to celebrate!
It may be our anniversary, but we are excited to be giving the present of life-changing technology to countless residents and businesses in LaGrange County. If you would like to receive updates or express your interest in getting our fiber broadband in your home or business, visit broadband.lagrangeremc.com.
