BY APRIL EVANS
Commercial-News
DANVILLE —
Good news recently came to Cellular One, when local officials heard their efforts paid off, literally.
The cellular company applied for federal funding to help with the construction of a major expansion of broadband service to rural areas in the 11 counties the business serves with its 12 store locations.
More than $12.26 million was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service for the project that is expected to be complete within three years.
“We’re just very excited there’s federal money out there and we were able to bring it back here,” Colleen Wright, Cellular One assistant general manager said.
Gov. Pat Quinn will speak at 1:30 p.m. today at the Cellular One store at the Village Mall, 2917 N. Vermilion St., along with USDA representatives and other elected officials, about what effects the project will have on the region.
Half the award, $6.13 million will be a grant, with the other $6.13 million being a loan.
An additional $1 million match was pledged through a public works program, “Illinois Jobs Now!” through The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Cellular Properties will contribute $11.26 million of its own funding as well, making the project total $25 million.
“We’re all so excited, we can’t sleep at night,” Cassy Carter, CEO and GM of Cellular Properties said.
Carter said the project will have a lasting impact on the area.
“In a lot of the areas that are underserved in our community, it will bring high-speed Internet into homes that normally couldn’t have it,” Carter said.
The project also will bring jobs, both immediately through the installation of the new system and new jobs created through the upgrade of technology that will be available in rural areas for businesses.
“It’s a detractor for some to come to a community because dial-up is the only service offered,” Carter said.
Also, many home-based rural companies will have a better chance to flourish, with so much business being conducted online.
“We’re really excited about bringing in jobs,” Carter said.
Wright said one rural customer recently inquired about upgrading broadband access. She had been given the opportunity by her employer to work from home, but had to turn down the offer, since her residence was only capable of receiving dial-up Internet service.
All that could change for an estimated 66,500 customers like her who will be positively affected by the end of the three-year build out.
Wright said the company already had a plan in place to build up to 70 towers from their current 54. Now, they will build up to 100 cellular towers, antennas and an electronics and fiber network under the full plan.
The move also will take the company from their current 2.5 Generation network to 3G (3rd Generation).
Wright said small rural businesses that need to interact with the outside world will be better equipped to work in an efficient and timely manner.
Carter said the company plans to do a lot with local communities once the system is in place. Libraries and schools stand to benefit from donations that will upgrade their Internet service to make public access faster.
Locally-operated and privately owned, Cellular One of East Central Illinois is headquartered in Danville. The business also is known as Cellular Properties, Inc.
The business is an anomaly in the cellular world, always being owned by the same individuals who secured the original license.
Wright said company officials were excited and shocked upon hearing the news of receiving the award. She said 60 percent of the project must be complete within two years.
“This is paving the way to help ready us for the next generation of technology with the fiber backbone we’re building,” Wright said. “With this industry, things are constantly evolving.”
