Local officials watching whether the state legislature will lift restrictions on ICN

The Iowa legislature could discuss legislation in 2011 that would allow cities and counties to tap into the Iowa Communications Network-- the country's premier fiber-optic network.  Right now the use of the network is limited to educational institutions such as Luther College, NICC and the Decorah School District.  But allowing counties and cities to also use the network would save millions of dollars in tax money statewide.

A legislative study committee is scheduled to make its recommendation by December 31st.  Winneshiek County officials say if the current restriction against city and county use were lifted, the Iowa Communications Network would install 96-strand fiber optic cable in Decorah—a big jump from the 36-strand fiber optic cable installed in some locations of the county.