Southern Indiana Business Report
RTC Communications will have a ground-breaking ceremony Oct. 24 in Williams marking the build stage to expand fiber internet services to parts of western Lawrence County.
The ceremony is set for 2 p.m. at the Williams Community Center.
Earlier this year, the Lawrence County Commissioners awarded a portion of American Rescue Plan Act funds to RTC Communications to expand service in areas of western Lawrence County. After completion of engineering, mapping, and build plans, RTC Communications is moving to the build stage.
“The need for broadband fiber continues to be a necessity in our rural communities, and RTC Communications is making it a mission to ensure our Southern Indiana communities continue to receive these world class services. We were honored to be awarded nearly $1 million from Lawrence County and look forward to providing services that are second to none, but it is only a portion of what it will take to reach all homes and businesses with fiber internet,” said Kirk Lehman, CEO of RTC Communications.
RTC Communications is contracting with Lineal Contracting Inc., a Lawrence County company experienced in building fiber internet projects. The construction phase of the fiber expansion is expected to take approximately eight months.
RTC will invest an amount equal to the ARPA funds committed by the county.
The fiber-to-the-home or business network expansion will branch from the existing RTC Communications’ service region in the Williams area and continue east to provide service to hundreds of homes and businesses in the western section of Lawrence County.
Long-time RTC Communications Board President and Lawrence County resident Dave Redman said, “Lawrence County is home for me, and to see broadband being brought to this underserved area not only brings me joy but to know that it is just the start for us at RTC. Our plans to seek and service those who need our services is our priority.”
“As both RTC Communications and Lineal Contracting, Inc. have employees that reside in Lawrence County, and both companies do business in Lawrence County, the use of the ARPA funds with these companies and the expansion of business opportunities for Lawrence County was a great way to keep funds in this area and make sure the dollars continue to circulate locally,” said Lehman. “This is a great win-win for the Lawrence County residents and businesses.”
All area residents are invited to attend the ground-breaking and talk with representatives of RTC Communications. RTC’s brand of internet, called Intelecyn™, is offered at speeds up to 1 gig with symmetrical uploads and downloads and will change lives with each connection.
Residents of western Lawrence County will soon see more Lineal Contracting vehicles as well as RTC Communications construction vehicles. Any residents with questions or comments can call 812-486-3211 to discuss eligibility or to be added to lists so that residents can be brought on to the network as individual neighborhoods, or fiberhoods, are opened.
Maps will also be updated on the RTC Communications website (rtccom.com) to show fiberhoods as well.
About RTC Communications
RTC Communications provides internet, residential telephone services, and communications systems with its cloud-based business-class system. Founded in 1949, as a member-owned cooperative, the direction and operation of the organization are driven by its members through an elected Board of Directors. RTC Communications currently services customers in areas of Daviess, Martin, Lawrence, and Knox counties in Indiana.