WILLIAMA - JANUARY 3, 2023 - RTC Communications have returned the $850,000 of the American Rescue Funds back to Lawrence County for the expansion of broadband service in the Williams area.
Photo: Contractors for RTC Communications install fiber along Twin Ponds Road Wednesday afternoon
On Tuesday the Lawrence County Commissioner approved a contract with Morley to receive request for proposals on other broadband projects in Lawrence County in the amount of $8,600 for a third round of grants for high-speed broadband internet.
Lawrence County Commissioners allocated at total of $4.4 million in American Rescue Funds for broadband expansion, which includes AT&T expanding broadband in the Springville area.
Photo: Contractors are working on Twin Ponds Road to bring broadband coverage to the Williams area
RTC Communications resumed work on the company's project despite not receiving federal funding and after a dispute between the Lawrence County Commissioners and the company halted the project.
Members of RTC have reached out to the Lawrence County Zephyr expressing concerns about the work stoppage on the project.
Neither the county commissioners or RTC Communications have divulged in publice what the dispute centered on.
Lawrence County Zephyr have reached out to RTC Communications to find out what the company plans are moving forward. However, at this time RTC Communications have not responded to our request.
Previous news story: WILLIAMS - OCTOBER 24, 2023 - RTC breaks ground on bringing Broadband with fast and reliable service to the Williams area.
Photo: Groundbreaking ceremony as RTC brings faster and reliable service to the Williams area
CEO Kirk Lehman RTC Communications is excited about bringing much improved broadband services to residents, farmers and businesses f the Williams, Indiana area.
The company was awarded an $850,000 American Rescue Plan Act funds grant to bring the service to the area.
Video: Kirk Lehman explains RTC Broadband Expansion into the Williams area
The grant will serve about 1,3000 businesses and households in the area.
"This will be a fiber broadband product, everyone will pass will have fiber broadband to the home with access up to a gigabyte of service," said Lehman.
Anyone wishing to purchase the service can contact RTC Communications by calling or visit the website at RTC.com and there are pre-signups available.
Photo: Broadband expands in Western Lawrence County
David Redman who has been a board member of the RTC Board of Directors was honored in working to bring the needed service to the area.
Photo: RTC board member David Redman recognized for his contribution in bringing broadband to Lawrence County by CEO Kirk Lehman
" We are excited about this project, not only as board members but providing direction to our management team. We have challenged them to increase the number of customers over the last five-six years. We are looking to the future in more growth," said Redman.
" We are proud of our team of management and employees," added Redman.
Lawrence County Commissioners Dustin Gabhart, Wally Branham, and Rodney Fish with Lawrence County Council members Rick Butterfield and Amy Redman attended today's groundbreaking.
The project is expected to take over six months to complete.
For breaking news and information go to lczephyr.org or like/follow the Lawrence County Zephyr Facebook page.
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