Interest is strong in conducting a feasibility study of a fiber optic network in Decorah

Almost 30 businesses have contacted the City of Decorah to ask about a feasibility study that will be done this spring and summer to see if Decorah can support a fiber optic Internet system.

The City's Telecommunications Utility Board has received inquiries from 29 consultants.  Proposals from those firms are due in to City Hall by noon Monday.

The city should have a lot of options to choose from.  In fact, there will be a lot of work for members of the board, including listening to oral presentations from the bidders, in time for a scheduled Decorah City Council vote on April 3rd.

The Board is telling all interested bidders that it will be a competitive bidding process and the Board will not consider bids that exceed $60,000.  The Decorah City Council has set aside $60,000 in funding, but Decorah Fast Fiber, the citizens group which led to the Board being formed, has promised to donate half of the amount of the study cost, up to $30,000.