Panel meets in Makanda to talk about expanding broadband service

MAKANDA, Ill. (KBSI) – University of Illinois system leaders made their third annual state tour through southern Illinois to discuss broadband expansion on October 3.

Kyle Harfst is the associate vice president for Economic Development and Innovation for the University of Illinois system.

“This is a group of individuals collectively coming together to solve this real-world challenge,” said Harfst.

He says the university’s leaders’ main objective is learn how to increase access to the internet for under-sourced communities.

“With our state tour focused on broadband, from what we call the reading tour, so we’ll be able to talk with individual communities about what their needs are,” he said.

Other than observing cellphone towers and engaging in partnerships, like having panel discussions, Harfst says some of the funding comes along with breaking down the barrier to personal progress.

“A grant from the federal government, from the Federal Communications Commission, to provide the affordable connectivity program to residents in the state,” he said.

He explains that it is a subsidized program which gets broadband to low to moderate households within Illinois. This will improve resources for Illinois residents who are looking for telehealth, in search of employment, or for even grocery shopping.

“It’s something that’s exciting,” said Skyler Peterman, manager of Giant City Lodge. “It’s something with us being out in the middle of nowhere it’s definitely something that we’re looking forward to expanding.”

Petermen says he is optimistic about the leader’s panel meeting that was held at Giant City State Park.

“It’s always been a struggle over the years, especially as we take a step into the future with some of our tech stuff. So that’ll definitely help us,” said Peterman.

Wednesday, leaders will make their way to Alton Wedge Innovation Center and Forbes Biological Field Station in Havana, Ill.