Media

Washington, DC – Representative Jim Baird (R-IN) commends the announcement from the United States Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Program, in which they awarded TipMont REMC one million dollars to expand broadband infrastructure in Fountain County.

“In today’s constantly connected global economy, adding 300 people in rural Indiana to the network is a huge feat,” Rep. Baird said. “For this community, it means completing that challenging last mile, and to these families, this connectivity means a whole new world of opportunity right here in west-central Indiana.”

“Hoosiers in Fountain County will have access to reliable, high-speed internet for virtual education or connecting with a grandparent across the country. Businesses will have access to new customers, vendors, and cost-saving software. Hoosier farmers can now better leverage precision agriculture tools that improve efficiency and sustainability.”

The grant funds will serve 279 people in Fountain County, including 16 farms, 10 businesses, and 109 households. The infrastructure that will be built will provide high-speed internet by constructing 24 miles of fiber-to-the-premise broadband.

The Broadband ReConnect Program provide rural communities funds in the form of grants or loans for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service.