Benton Development Group (BDG) has secured priority for funding fiber broadband projects that could serve more than 1,000 Benton County homes, farms, and businesses. The announcement of priority status for four areas in Benton County was made on Friday by the Office of Chief Information Officer for the state of Iowa.


The state is poised to award grants of more than $680 million for locations without a fiber connection and homes and businesses with slow broadband access.


Kate Robertson, BDG's Executive Director, says the group worked to identify the areas most likely to receive funding by working closely with internet providers USA Communications based in Shellsburg and LPC Connect in La Porte City.


"Working with USA Communications and LPC Connect allowed us to identify areas with the greatest density of unserved and underserved locations near existing fiber networks," explained Robertson. "And that means we have secured funding priority and improved the likelihood of connecting Benton County residents to an established internet provider."


Robertson also shared that Monkeythis, a Benton County business with experience marketing broadband construction projects in Iowa and Colorado was also an important contributor to the success of the funding applications. BDG relies on Monkeythis for broadband expertise and general marketing.

Benton Development Group (BDG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the improved well-being of all Benton County residents. Governed by a board open to members from all communities in the county, the organization is the primary point of contact for businesses interested in expanding or finding locations suitable for constructing new plants. BDG has been involved in successful applications for more than $1,300,000 in state grants and promoted Benton County locations to several major employers looking to build new manufacturing facilities.

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