CASSCOMM named ‘Smart Rural Community’ broadband provider to Pittsfield
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
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Last week Pittsfield was named by CASSCOMM a ‘Smart Rural Community’ because of the prevalence in the community of broadband internet access. Several elected officials, economic development figures, and CASCOMM employees were present for a dedication ceremony at the Pittsfield city hall. Top row, left to right: Illinois State Representative CD Davidsmeyer, Pittsfield City Clerk Ann Moffit, Pittsfield Mayor Gary Mendenhall, Henry Warren, Trevor Bennett. Bottom row, left to right: Pittsfield Economic Development Director Ed Knight, Pike County Economic Development Corporation Director Brenda Middendorf, Pike County Chamber of Commerce Director David Camphouse, Casey French.
The community of Pittsfield today announced last week that CASSCOMM was named a Smart Rural CommunitySM (SRC) provider by NTCA– The Rural Broadband Association. SRC is a national network of communities powered by innovative rural broadband providers that are building a brighter future for small-town America. The program promotes rural broadband and its role in supporting innovative economic development, effective education, efficient energy distribution and use, state-of-the-art healthcare and other important issues for rural America.
According to Pittsfield Mayor Gary Mendenhall, having ready access to broadband internet is essential for economic development efforts and to support businesses in the area.
“High speed internet is a vital tool to have in this day and age when more and more people are working from home,” Mendenhall said. “It’s also vital for businesses looking to operate in the city.”
In addition, Mendenhall said that having high speed internet can make rural communities more attractive to urban and suburban residents looking to relocate.
“Broadband can serve as an attraction for people working from home that want to get away from the hustle and bustle of big city life and settle in a community with a more laid back, rural lifestyle,” Mendenhall said
In order to receive recognition as a SRC provider, CASSCOMM was required to affirm that it offers up to Gigabit broadband to at least 95% of its service area; that it has broadband subscription rates of at least 50%; and that it is committed to program principles of collaboration and innovation. As a result of CASSCOMMs national recognition Pittsfield will now be celebrated as a Smart Rural Community in program materials and online at www.smartruralcommunity.com, joining a national network of similarly innovative communities.
NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield also recognized CASSCOMM for this achievement, noting, “We are so excited to welcome another Smart Rural Community provider into this growing network of innovative broadband providers delivering the Internet’s fastest speeds in some of the most remote and rural communities of our country. I applaud CASSCOMM and Pittsfield for their commitment to enabling cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation and promote economic development in their region and nationwide.”
