ANNOUNCEMENT:  June 15, 2022

AMERICAN CONNECTION CORPS FELLOW INTEGRAL IN NEBRASKA BROADBAND EXPANSION EFFORTS

Broadband is expanding in Gage County, Nebraska -- thanks to an American Connection Corps Fellow

Broadband is expanding in Gage County, Nebraska – thanks to an American Connection Corps Fellow.

Nebraska American Connection Corps Fellow Oliver Borchers-Williams began his fellowship in the inaugural year of the American Connection Corps in August of 2021, alongside his host, the Southeast Nebraska Development District.

The American Connection Corps is a partnership between Land O’Lakes and Lead for America supported by 20 diverse partners. The program is designed for leaders to serve as a boots-on-the-ground effort to boost local internet connectivity and the benefits it provides.

In April, Oliver’s advocacy as an American Connection Corps Fellow resulted in the passage of a proposal before the Gage County Board of Supervisors that would allow internet service provider, Nextlink Internet, to expand broadband service to rural residents throughout the area.

Of the need for broadband in Gage County, Oliver highlighted how rural Nebraskan’s struggled without access during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The need for improved connectivity in much of rural Gage County became abundantly clear during the COVID-19 pandemic, as residents found themselves with insufficient bandwidth to attend online classes, work remotely, receive tele-healthcare and stream Sunday services,” said Oliver Borchers-Williams.

The Gage County project is expected to reach nearly 1,000 homes in the next two years and offer lower costs than competing internet service providers in the market.

Read more about Oliver’s work with the American Connection Corps in The Beatrice Daily Sun here.

Interested in becoming an American Connection Corps Fellow? Apply here.