Monday, March 11, 2024
County Continues Long Road to Broadband Access
As the state and federal government prepare to disburse millions and billions, respectively, of broadband grant funding, Shelby County officials build their case.
“When the state looks at where to invest, I think we’ve got a strong argument for closing the connectivity gap in the region with respect to Marion County and also for workforce development,” Shelby County Commissioner Jason Abel said.
Abel calls broadband “the great equalizer,” citing the many county residents who appreciate their rural setting and agricultural heritage while also needing viable internet.
Those in need encompass students, work-from-home employees, even farmers.
“Modern precision agriculture and future precision ag will require larger and larger amounts of internet connectivity. The amount of data that is generated from a single harvest season is staggering,” Abel said.
As Indiana’s Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program and the federal government’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program prepare to provide significant additional funding to unserved areas, Shelby County officials continue to lay a foundation. The local work began even before the pandemic and promises of federal funds.
In response to county school officials noting a lack of student access to wifi at home, the county council appropriated some racino funding to help and, with the blessings of county commissioners, Linda Sanders headed up an all-volunteer broadband task force. Some of those on the task force include Morristown Deputy Town Marshal Brad Trittipo and Katrina Hall with Indiana Farm Bureau and representatives from various county and city school, businesses and organizations, such as from the public library and MHP.
Their conversations turned critical during the pandemic.
“It was just exasperating when nobody could communicate,” Sanders said. “People were getting put into teams and Zoom, and it was hard to get things done.”
Students throughout Shelbyville and Shelby County were frequently using wifi from area restaurants and parking lots.
“They were using places where it was not conducive to any type of substantial learning,” Abel said. “We realized that people can’t work from home and that kids can’t do online education very effectively.”
Even with years of planning and promised funding, identified solutions will not provide every single homeowner internet, and it will still take county investment.
“If you’re talking about fiber for 100 percent coverage for Shelby County, that’s cost prohibitive,” Abel said.
And fiber, although it’s “the gold standard,” isn’t the only solution to cover Shelby County’s over 400 square miles, which is near the top third of Indiana’s 92 counties. Wireless will certainly be one of the available options.
Sanders likened the broadband discussion to governments providing roads or sewage infrastructure. The county and available grants could be used for the big ticket infrastructure, and residents will choose whether to connect. Government entities have also floated programs to help low income families.
While the City of Shelbyville is moving forward with a separate broadband project, which is easier to pull off given the density, county officials plod ahead. The county Broadband Task Force last January brought in consultant Katz, Sapper & Miller (KSM) and Rudd Consulting, who are working with other counties on similar projects, and the county council is supporting a Request for Information, which will inform a Request for Proposals.
But when the time comes for grant disbursements, county officials feel strongly they have positioned themselves well.
“The fact we created a task force, became a Broadband Ready Community, and did everything the state asked to be ready for funding is a credit to the people who did the legwork early on,” Abel said.
It’s work that will pay dividends far beyond the tangible, officials hope.
“We don’t have to chase unrestricted growth if we have this tool in our toolbox,” Abel said.
NOTEBOOK:
Shelbyville High School senior Ethan Lambert was named IndyStar’s Student of the Week.
NATIONAL NEWS: For the first time since World War II, a renewable energy resource — hydroelectric back then, solar today — has accounted for more than half of the additional energy generation added to U.S. grids. All told, the U.S. added 32.4 gigawatts of solar generation, or 53 percent of new generation added, smashing the 23.6-gigawatt record set in 2021. Texas and California were responsible for 22.5 gigawatts of those utility-scale installations. (Grist/Numlock)
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This Day in Shelby County History
2014: Joe Landwerlen was inducted into the Indiana Bass Federation Hall of Fame. Landwerlen had fished the national circuit and created well-known products that benefitted the industry, as well as developed a tournament series in Indiana. Landwerlen, 1956 Shelbyville High School graduate, had created the Gator Grip, which changed the way fishing reels were produced.
2004: More than 100 local business leaders attended a Shelby County Chamber of Commerce luncheon to hear Mayor Scott Furgeson’s vision, from reconfiguring Public Square to building a new fire station. Furgeson had organized a meeting of downtown business owners to discuss making the downtown more attractive. Furgeson also wanted to replace the 1917-era fire station on Broadway. He had invited Ralph Leppart, who had remonstrated against the city’s previous fire station project, to participate on a seven-member citizen committee for the new station. Furgeson, though, noted the budget would be a challenge. “We’ll do what we can, but it’s a bleak financial future for the next two or three years,” he said.
1994: Those who had recently toured the old jail before it was demolished were met with a warning: “Warning: obscene language and drawings” signs posted outside each cell block. “Artwork drawn by the former inmates adorned each cell wall and included a vast vocabulary of four-letter words and drawings copied from the centerfolds of magazines,” The Shelbyville News reported.
1984: The city held a “Spring Cleaning” sale. Bicycles, pickup trucks and a bulldozer were just some of the items auctioned to 85 winners.
1974: The Shelby County Legal Secretaries organization held a Bosses’ Night event at Holiday Inn. R. Robert Yeager and Nora VanNatta were named king and queen for the evening. Members of the organizing committee were Mrs. Buckley, Mrs. Pullin, Mrs. Cox, Gayle Wickliff and Marsha Rash.
1964: Among those honored at the annual Shelby County Crops Improvement Recognition Banquet were four corn and soybean champions: Lloyd Anderson, Mike Theobald, John Fox and Charles Fischer.
1954: Rumbling vibrations were felt by a large number of local residents, who called police and fire authorities to report the matter. Several people said the vibrations shook their homes. It was later learned that the thunderous sounds were caused by stump-blasting operations in a wooded area along the north side of McKay Road, about a half-mile east of State Road 9. the location was just east of Riley Village and southeast of Sunrise Addition.
1944: One-third of U.S. families were in the $3,000 per year salary bracket ($53,000 in today’s money). “This is apparent proof of the contention that the wage ceiling has been a good thing for the nation generally, and that it should be maintained under whatever pressure develops, as the surest way to prevent bidding up of commodity prices,” The Shelbyville Republican said.
1934: Students at Fairland High School announced an upcoming comic operetta, directed by Mrs. Claudia Force and including a cast of 65. Decorations for the play were made by art classes.
1924: Shelbyville High School defeated Muncie, 22-21, in the state tournament with Applas getting the game-winning shot in the final minute.
The local Colored Citizens Fund donated $225 to Major Hospital to furnish a room in the new institution. Half of the money had been raised through Second Baptist Church, with the other half through canvassing the homes of local Black residents.
1914: No. 1 School in Union township, taught by Lavone Spone, closed for the year. A year-end dinner was held to celebrate.
OBITUARIES
Connie L. Crane, 71, of Indianapolis passed away Thursday, March 7, 2024 at Franciscan Health Indianapolis. She was born February 18, 1953 in Shelbyville to William “Eddie” E. Crane and Frances “Pat” (Surber) Crane.
Connie graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1971. She was active in TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) where she served as a Chapter Officer, Area Captain, and State Coordinator.
Connie was also a former district manager for The Shelbyville News. She was an active volunteer for the Salvation Army and the Humble Impressions Thrift Shop. Connie was very charitable. She had a big heart and would do anything to help others.
Connie is survived by her cousins, Patti (husband, Robert) Feller, Sam (wife, Marcia) Reed, and Cathy (husband, David) Justice, and her best friend, Ellen Ashcraft. She was preceded in death by her parents, and infant brother.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2024 at Forest Hill Cemetery with Envoy Shannon Benner officiating. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Salvation Army at a date to be determined. Memorial contributions may be sent to TOPS Club, Inc, P.O. Box 070360, Milwaukee, WI 53207-0360 or to the Shelbyville Salvation Army, 136 East Washington St., Shelbyville, IN 46176. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks, and Darin Schutt are honored to Connie’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
David M. Oeffinger, 67, of Shelbyville passed away Friday, March 8, 2024 at his residence. He was born August 18, 1956 in Canton, OH to William Oeffinger and Shirley (Hanna) Oeffinger.
David graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1974. He retired after spending most of his life as a carpet installer. David enjoyed golfing, playing pool, and reading. He also enjoyed watching westerns, but his favorite thing to watch was Purdue Basketball. David cherished the times he spent with his family and grandchildren.
David is survived by his daughter, Rebecca (husband, Jeremy) Jackson, his son, Travis (wife, Megan) Oeffinger, his grandchildren, Jeremiah Jackson, Damian Jackson, Brady Armstrong, A.J. Oeffinger, Autumn Oeffinger, Ashton Oeffinger, and Annalynn Oeffinger, his sister, Diane (husband, Ralph) McKee, his brothers, Danny (wife, Mary) Oeffinger, and Bill (wife, Theresa) Oeffinger, and his best friend, George Cassidy. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his daughter, Britni Oeffinger.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2024 at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Reverend Bill Horner officiating. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks, and Darin Schutt are honored to serve David’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.