IRON NEWS
NEWS RELEASE
December 23, 2024
Contact: Brandon Coates, Public Relations Manager, RBCI, 406-465-3350, Brandon@rbci.net
Advancing Connectivity: A 198-Mile Broadband Project Brings New Opportunities to Rural Idaho
EMMETT, Idaho – Residents and businesses in Emmett and surrounding areas of Gem County may have noticed crews hard at work installing fiber optic cables across the region. This vital infrastructure improvement is part of a transformative 198-mile open access broadband project, developed through a public-private partnership between the Idaho Regional Optical Network (IRON) and Intermountain Infrastructure Group (IIG). The project, which stretches from Grangeville to Star, Idaho, will increase the availability of fiberoptic connectivity to local internet and telecommunications service providers, who can then provide Internet and connectivity services to homes and businesses.
IIG crews began work 3 months ahead of schedule and are working diligently, installing on a daily basis even during the winter months. The fiber installation segment in Emmett is expected to be completed by early January, weather permitting.
This project was made possible thanks to partial funding from a middle-mile infrastructure grant by the State of Idaho’s Broadband Advisory Board (IBAB). With the support of the IBAB grant, which funds a quarter of the project’s cost, and IIG’s funding of the remaining. This broadband expansion will provide a crucial new north-south backbone network across the state of Idaho, addressing the broadband gap in underserved and unserved areas. The project is expected to reduce the underlying cost of providing reliable, high-speed internet access by expanding the availability and reliability of broadband to local services providers.
“This project highlights the benefits of public-private partnerships,” said Ramón Hobdey-Sánchez, Broadband Program Manager for the State of Idaho. “Not only will it improve the quality of life for residents, but it will also stimulate local economies by providing businesses with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. This collaborative effort strengthens Idaho’s broadband infrastructure and ensures future opportunities for all.”
IRON’s portion of this project ensures the availability of broadband services to the non-profit community, including educational institutions, libraries, healthcare organizations, public safety, economic development, and governmental entities, through local service providers. Upon completion, this broadband project will be a cornerstone for building a future of connected communities in Idaho. By improving internet access for underserved areas, it will help bridge the digital divide, enabling Idahoans to benefit from the vast opportunities provided by reliable broadband
connectivity.
For more information, or to learn how this project will impact your community, please contact Brandon Coates, Public Relations Manager, RBCI at Brandon@rbci.net or 406-465-3350.
Idaho Regional Optical Network Names Andy Binder Chief Executive Officer
BOISE, Idaho, February 3, 2023 — Idaho Regional Optical Network (IRON), Idaho’s leading non-profit fiber optic network infrastructure provider, announced Andy Binder has been named President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In this role, Binder will continue IRON’s fundamental purpose to provide Idaho’s higher education, healthcare, emergency management, state and local government, research facilities, and other non-profits with highly reliable access to high-speed infrastructure. Andy takes the helm from Brent Stacey, who has been IRON’s President and CEO. Brent continues to serve IRON, now as Chairman of the IRON Board of Directors.
Binder recently served as Vice President & General Manager of HP’s Toner Supplies & Solutions business. He had worldwide profit and loss (P&L) responsibility for the multibillion-dollar supplies and installed base business, driving strategy, development, and execution. Andy began his career at HP as an engineer in the Boise Printer Division in Boise, ID. Over his tenure at HP, he served in critical engineering, sales, marketing, and executive management roles. Highlights include defending HP’s intellectual property (IP) in multiple forums, the development and pilot of HP’s first subscription-based cloud service (HP Instant Ink), and the development and launch of HP’s first Officejet Enterprise Pagewide printer.
“We are thrilled to have Andy’s seasoned expertise and experience at IRON,” said Brent Stacey, IRON Chairman of the Board. “Andy brings proven success and leadership that will accelerate our core mission of enabling Idaho’s higher education and nonprofit communities through affordable and reliable broadband infrastructure.”
“I’m excited to be joining IRON at a time when our mission is more important than ever, with all of the investments being made in Middle Mile infrastructure,” Binder said. “I see tremendous opportunity for IRON to be leading the intersection of Idaho’s universities, research institutes like the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and the needs of local governments, healthcare institutes, emergency management, and other non-profits in bridging the digital divide.”
Andy received a Bachelor of Science in physics from Northern Illinois University, a Master of Science in reliability engineering from the University of Arizona, and a Master of Science in management of technology (MBA) from the National Technological University. He also holds a certificate in Leading Strategic Growth from Columbia Business School and an Executive Certificate in Leadership from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business. Andy currently serves as a Board of Trustees member for the Idaho Technology Council (ITC), a member of the Idaho Women in Technology (iWIT) Advisory Board, and is an executive Board of Trustees member for the Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity. He holds seven U.S. patents for electro-photographic consumables inventions, and has received multiple awards for sales excellence throughout his career.
About IRON
IRON’s Charter Associates operate a dedicated high-speed fiber optic network infrastructure to support Idaho’s unique research, health care, education, emergency management, and government needs. The IRON network is Idaho’s dedicated connection to other research and education networks throughout the United States and around the world. IRON’s associates partner in important statewide initiatives as well as large-scale, global research projects. A high-speed network makes innovation and discovery faster and more efficient so that more Idahoans can have greater access to world-class opportunities and grow our economy. IRON’s purpose-built network addresses Idaho’s ever-growing demand for dedicated high-speed fiber optic connectivity. https://ironforidaho.net
Media Contact: abinder@ironforidaho.net
