Adams Fiber is currently applying for grants through Connect Illinois Broadband Program and the Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program at the state and federal levels respectively. Adams is committed to investing $5 million to these projects, which if funded by 50% matching grants, will allow for a $10 million total investment in broadband expansion to underserved local communities.

Jim Broemmer, CEO, states, “Fast, reliable Internet access is critical to community vitality. Fiber technology will provide much needed resources for residents, farmers and local businesses. It will also enable e-learning opportunities, work-from-home positions, and support telemedical care in rural areas. The economic impact of providing connectivity for these regions is profound and will improve quality of life for those impacted for decades to come.”

Connect Illinois is centered around three main outcomes: education, telehealth and economic development. It aims to provide universal access to basic broadband for homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions by 2024. The Broadband ReConnect Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas.

Adams needs community support through interest submissions that should be submitted through followthefiber.net to document need in rural and underserved regions. Residents interested in fiber expansion in their areas should fill out the form and encourage their neighbors to submit their interest too. Adams will then reach out to qualifying funded areas to begin the actual signup process at a later date.

Adams began their first fiber-to-the-home initiative in 2007 in the towns of Camp Point and Clayton. Adams expanded fiber into its Cooperative exchanges in 2009 which was completed in 2019. In 2014, fiber Internet access and phone service launched in Quincy. Since then, there are 92 Adams Fiberhoods in Quincy plus fiber-to-the-home in the surrounding areas of Barry, Bowen, Camden, Fowler, Perry, Payson, Liberty, Mt. Sterling, Plainville, Kinderhook, and Hull. Customers in these Fiberhoods are now enjoying Internet speeds up to 1,000 Mbps from a certified gig-capable local provider.

Adams has over 68 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, providing telephone, television, and broadband Internet services in 28 communities where there was previously little or no coverage. The company is well known for business communication, Internet offerings and for investing in communities to further economic development.