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.