Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Broadband topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Private provider Pavlov Media pitches BEAD broadband work in Kankakee County
Summary
Mark Sheldon of Pavlov Media told the Kankakee County Board the company is building fiber in Bradley, Bourbonnais and Manteno and plans to pursue BEAD funding to reach roughly 5,000 eligible homes across the county.
Mark Sheldon, vice president for government and community relations at Pavlov Media, told the Kankakee County Board during the public-comment portion that his company is constructing fiber Internet in Bradley, Bourbonnais and Manteno and plans to seek federal BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) grant funds routed through the state of Illinois to extend service into rural parts of the county.
Sheldon said the company’s crews have already been working in the area and that the firm has prepared a map showing about 5,000 BEAD-eligible homes in Kankakee County that could receive grant-funded service. "This is a game changer," Sheldon said, adding that better fiber access opens opportunities for remote health, remote learning and remote work.
The presentation was made as a public comment rather than a staff briefing; County Board member Hunter asked whether the presenter could meet with the board or staff later to answer questions. Sheldon said he expected further communication and left copies of maps and brochures for board members and staff.
No formal action or commitment by the board was recorded during the meeting. The presenter identified Pavlov Media as headquartered in Champaign and described ongoing construction in the county towns he named.
