Mayor Don Arendt shares Iowa League of Cities award with Decorah Schools (and other Metronet anchors)

Decorah Director of Technology Kurt Devore, Board President Ron Fadness, Mayor Don Arendt

On Monday night Decorah Mayor Don Arendt shared with the Decorah Schools an All Star City Award from the Iowa League of Cities. The award was for implementation of the Decorah Metronet project

The Metronet consists of 144 strands of fiber throughout the city, much of it underground. It provides increased communication abilities, enhanced speed and storage capabilities, and a redundancy that prevents loss of service. Decorah was awarded a $520,000 Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant in November of 2010, and the six anchor members also provided funding.

Arendt has been sharing the award with the other anchors: City of Decorah, Winneshiek County, Luther College, Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commision, and Winneshiek Medical Center. It is hoped the Metronet may provide other agency or business connections in the future.

Arendt was proud of being recognized by the League of about 700 members, noting that it was very unique to have won the recognition two years in a row. Decorah received the award last year for its involvement in the bike trail project.