Pavlov Media pitches fiber build in Orland Park, says safety and community outreach are priorities

Mark Sheldon, vice president for government and community relations at Pavlov Media, told the Orland Park Board of Trustees on July 21 that his company plans to seek permits to build fiber-to-the-home service in Orland Park and urged the village to move quickly on permitting.

Sheldon said Pavlov is a competitive local exchange carrier and emphasized safety and community engagement during construction. “Fiber is the future for Internet,” Sheldon said. He told trustees Pavlov has been in business for 30 years and has expanded from multiunit buildings to full fiber-to-home deployments in Illinois, Texas and Florida.

Sheldon described a project playbook that includes a kickoff meeting with staff, public town halls so residents can learn about construction impacts, and weekly project meetings with village staff. He told the board Pavlov plans to submit permits “within the next few weeks” and handed out a brochure to trustees.

Village officials acknowledged receipt of contact information and told the presenters staff would follow up. Mayor Dodge told Sheldon, “We have your contact information. Right. Okay. I appreciate you coming up and presenting this.” There was no formal vote or agreement at the meeting; the presentation was recorded as nonagenda public comment and outreach.

Why it matters: Additional fiber providers can alter local broadband competition and may affect service availability, speeds and prices for residents and businesses. Pavlov’s description of safety protocols and public outreach indicates the company expects to work in the public right-of-way and coordinate with village staff during construction.

Next steps: Pavlov said it would submit permit applications in the coming weeks; village staff said they have the company’s contact information and would follow up. The board took no formal action or vote regarding a franchise or permit at the July 21 meeting.