County receives $15 million for broadband

Post Date:03/20/2024

A $15 million grant from the Illinois Office of Broadband will make Kendall County’s plan to provide high-speed internet to nearly all residents of the County possible.

Kendall County announced today that with the grant award, it intends to develop a public-private partnership that will result in more than $40 million in investment in a community-owned broadband network. The network will provide broadband access to portions of the County not currently served high-speed internet, allow for an expanded public safety communication network, provide the best and most cost-effective access to other government agencies, and support economic development.

“What we aim to achieve in this community-owned infrastructure project is a holistic solution that connects those currently under and unserved while also making strides towards the future development of our community, such as priming key areas for economic development and bolstering emergency communication,” said Zach Bachman, Kendall County Board member and chair of the Connect Kendall County Commission. “We believe this is the best way we can bridge our digital divide.”

More than 1,900 homes in Kendall County are considered unserved or underserved with internet access. In 2022, the County began assessing ways to bridge this gap. The Connect Kendall County Commission was established in 2023 by the County Board to study connectivity and ways to deliver high-speed internet across Kendall County. The commission issued a request for proposals for a partner in constructing a middle-mile ring. The County selected the team at Pivot Tech based on their vision and project area expertise.

“This project leverages federal funds available for broadband connection to benefit the residents and businesses of the County,” Kendall County Board Chairman Matt Kellogg said. “This County-owned asset will support the needs of nearly everyone across the County and beyond.”

As part of the public-private partnership, Pivot Tech plans to bring more than $25 million in additional private capital and project-based revenue bonds to finance the project. The County intends to enter into a concession agreement for the finance, development, construction and operation of the network for an extended term. The County will be a stakeholder in the network’s development and operation and receive a portion of the project’s profit. The project is expected to kick off in fall of 2024. More information about the project is available at www.kendallcountyil.gov/broadband.