City of Decorah's Communications Utility Board is looking for people who want to bring a fiber optic network to Decorah

Posted: Wed, Nov 7, 2018 3:58 PM

The City of Decorah's Communications Utility Board (CUB) is starting a door-to-door drive which could lead to the city creating a fiber optic network to connect to each and every home and business in Decorah. The network would then deliver reliable, high speed, broadband services including broadband Internet, cable television, and/or telephone service, all with local service.

A pledge campaign is now kicking off, with volunteers conducting a door-to-door campaign to encourage residents to take a pledge that they would like to be customers of a city-owned fiber optic network. All official volunteers will have identification and pledge forms available when knocking on doors. The pledge also can be taken online at http://www.ourbroadbandfuture.com/decorah.html or in person at Decorah City Hall during normal office hours.

If you would like more information, CUB will be hosting a public forum at Decorah City Hall from 10:30 a.m. until noon on Saturday. The forum will provide information on fiber networks in Iowa and how such a network would benefit the Decorah community. The forum will also kick off the door-to-door drive to collect remaining residents' pledges for broadband services or to gather their "no interest" statement. The CUB wants everyone to understand the possibilities and to share whether they would or would not subscribe to services provided by a local Decorah Communications Utility.

Some people ask, "How will this be funded?" The utility will operate off the revenues of the subscribers--property taxes will not be used. A new Communications Utility would finance an initial investment for infrastructure, equipment and for starting operating costs. It will pay back that investment as well as operating expenses out of its revenues. Long term, any revenues over expenses will lead to new investments in the utility or would be available to fund other city projects.

There is also opportunity in subsequent phases to leverage the network to provide services to adjacent businesses and households beyond the city limits.

If you have questions, concerns, or simply want to learn more please join the Communications Utility Board at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at City Hall.

For further information, please contact Decorah City Hall at 563-382-3651 or email city manager Chad Bird at citymanager@decorahia.org