LAGRANGE - A request for a grant from the Major Moves Fund has been approved.

During the November 13 meeting of the Major Moves Committee, the joint organization agreed to give a grant of $5 million to LaGrange County REMC. That money will be leveraged by REMC to invest $20 million to install fiber optic broadband in the County.

The Major Moves Committee originally met November 9 to hear a presentation from Mark Leu of REMC. He explained they had been looking at this project for two years following a study done by Purdue University.

Leu says they came up with a network that would use their existing poles to string the fiber. Approximately 5500 REMC members would be served initially. Leu says REMC's poles run in areas where they don't currently provide electric service. Because internet service is not regulated, Leu says REMC could provide internet service to another 500 to 600 non customers if they are interested.

Leu says they also asked their customers last Fall if this was something they would be interested in. The results showed 20 percent had no access to internet. Those that did have internet, based on a 10 point scale, the average was below 6 for how satisfied they were with the service.

The Major Moves Committee had originally asked about paying back the grant and possibly getting free internet for the County from REMC. That was not discussed during Friday's meeting.