GIGABIT FIBER-OPTIC BROADBAND NETWORK PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CIRBN, THE VILLAGE OF MAHOMET, AND MAHOMET-SEYMOUR COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #3
Mahomet – CIRBN, The Village of Mahomet, and Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit School District #3 are proud to announce the official launch of a community-connected fiber optic broadband network for the Mahomet area. This network provides an opportunity for organizations in Mahomet to have access to increased bandwidth, one of the resources needed for business and economic development. The agreement also continues CIRBN’s mission to connect communities in Central Illinois through the power of high speed Internet.
The partnership started as a collaborative effort between the Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit School District #3, the Village of Mahomet, and CIRBN. The School District invested the first phase of the project, installing fiber-optic broadband infrastructure to gain access to CIRBN’s gigabit Internet access network along Interstate 74 in August of 2013. The Village furthered the fiber-optic investment within the community by extending the School’s network on the West side of the Village, and installing new infrastructure on the East side of the Village – coming off Interstate 74 on South Prairie View Road. This allowed the Village to access CIRBN’s gigabit Internet access network in December of 2014. This led the Village of Mahomet and Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit School District #3 to finalize an agreement with CIRBN to provide management and maintenance services for the network, while allowing the investment to be leveraged by other organizations within the Village of Mahomet.
“We are excited to be bringing fiber-optic Internet service to the Village of Mahomet. I would like to specifically thank the Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit School District #3 and the Village of Mahomet, their elected officials, and the team at CIRBN for working so hard to make this opportunity possible. In furthering CIRBN’s mission of connecting communities, we look forward to bringing a 100% fiber network to organizations in Mahomet and delivering gigabit Internet service,” says CIRBN Executive Director Mark DeKeersgieter.
“The grant funding that started CIRBN targeted K-12 schools, so a child at school in Mahomet would have the same educational opportunities as children in large major metropolitan areas. Between our investment in the infrastructure and CIRBN’s gigabit Internet access, we have the foundation and are moving towards a 1:1 program where every student in grades 3 through 12 will have access to their own computer with internet access while at school. Additionally, we were able to save $28,000 during the first year we were on CIRBN’s service. Since adding Sangamon Elementary School, we are now saving $35,000 on annual basis while having a minimum of ten time’s greater bandwidth on CIRBN,” says Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit School District #3 Superintendent Rick Johnston.
Village of Mahomet Administrator Patrick Brown helped drive the Village’s commitment, “A reliable and affordable fiber-optic broadband network is important and fundamental for Mahomet to be competitive in our efforts to help drive economic development growth from new business attraction and to retain current businesses.”
The partnership between CIRBN, The Village of Mahomet and Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit School District #3 has already proven to be a success outside of the original partnerships. Mahomet Public Library Director Lynn Schmidt comments, “Since joining the Village of Mahomet and the Mahomet-Seymour School District in receiving internet services over fiber through CIRBN, Mahomet Public Library increased our internet speed fivefold, cut our monthly bill in half, and decreased downtime significantly. This allows us to better serve our community with fast, reliable internet access.”
CIRBN, LLC is based in Central Illinois and operates the Central Illinois Regional Broadband Network. CIRBN delivers seamless gigabit fiber-optic Internet and Intranet experience. CIRBN provides service to K-12 school districts, healthcare, public safety, government, not-for-profit, and commercial institutions. More than 100 organizations are already connected to CIRBN’s cutting edge fiber network. CIRBN is committed to connecting communities through the power of high-speed Internet. Enjoy faster service and connect now by contacting (309) 820-7321 or info@CIRBN.org to receive a service quote.