Diode Communications Receives Grant To Fund Broadband Expansion In Jefferson County

By Gordon HopkinsDiller-based Diode Communications will be receiving partial grant funding to assist in placement of 50 miles of buried fiber optic facilities to 98 rural homes in Jefferson County. The new state-of-the-art fiber will provide high speed broadband capable of gigabit speeds. Jefferson County Commissioners made the announcement at a meeting on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Commissioner Mark Schoenrock said, “Our private-public partnership application with diode with the Nebraska Public Service Commission. Under the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program, our grant application has been successful. The total cost of this expansion of high speed internet in Jefferson County is going to be approximately $1.9 million and our grant is going to be for approximately $1.2 million.” Schoenrock added, “And this expansion is going to bring high speed internet to an approximate number of 98 additional Jefferson County homes up in the Plymouth northeast and Plymouth West areas of the county. So, this is another big step forward for our county, to bring high speed internet to our citizens out in the rural areas. So, we’re very happy that this has been approved.” The remaining $700,000 will be split between the county and Diode, with the county’s portion being paid using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds earmarked for broadband expansion.Schoenrock said, “We are excited to partner with Diode Communications to help bring fiber broadband to areas of unserved Jefferson County.” In a statement, Randy Sandman, President of Diode Communications said, “We are pleased to have been approved for the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program grants to help us continue fiber broadband expansion to our neighbors in Jefferson County.”

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