Fiber optics network moving closer to completion

A fiber optic network to be shared by Winneshiek County, the City of Decorah and the Decorah School District is getting closer to reality.

County officials were briefed Monday on a program to connect all 98 rural hospitals in Iowa on the fiber optic ICN network. County officials are making a pitch to the program to route the fiber optic network from Luther College to Winneshiek Medical Center through a downtown route, instead of along Highways 9 & 52. The downtown route would not only allow the county, city and school district to tap into the fiber optic cables, but would avoid the bedrock along the highways.

To help pay the costs of the fiber optic connections county officials will apply for federal stimulus funds targeted towards improving broadband access in rural areas. The Obama administration has made upgrading Internet service a priority.