Vermilion County Farm Bureau is partnering with several community and government leaders and organizations to form Connect Vermilion, a program designed to advocate for federal funds to provide reliable, speedy internet throughout the County, and particularly the more rural areas in the unincorporated areas of the County.

Improved broadband internet access is vital for economic development, education, public safety, and all aspects of county development forward. The State of Illinois has one million dollars to spread out for underserved areas of the state. Vermilion County is underserved and should position itself to receive funds to enhance this vital service. The steps we are taking now will enhance the county’s position to take advantage of this program.

Rural areas have long struggled to have access to reliable utilities, since providers make decisions for service on a cost-recovery basis. But rural areas need to have reliable internet service in today’s market, whether for ordering parts or services, selling products to customers, or needing medical assistance when help is too far away.

That’s why Connect Vermilion has joined with the Illinois Broadband Breakthrough program through the University of Illinois Extension Service, the Soybean Association, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, and others. We meet weekly to advance the county’s need for this vital infrastructure. Local leaders, governments, and community organizations involved in addition to Vermilion County Farm Bureau include Vermilion Advantage, Danville Area Community College, Vermilion County, the Regional Superintendent of Schools, Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department and 9-1-1.

Now we need members of the public to complete a survey that will demonstrate the level of (or lack of) broadband service throughout the county. We urge you to encourage your family and neighbors to complete the survey as well, so that enough information is gathered.

The link to the online survey is: https://go.illinois.edu/ConnectVermilion. Please complete the survey on your home or farm computer. If you use a cell phone for the survey, we suggest that you use the local internet network rather than your cell service, so you can complete the service speed test that is part of the survey.

Those without internet service are encourage to complete a paper copy of the survey, which can be obtained at the Vermilion County Farm Bureau office, 1905-C U.S. Route 150, Danville.

We’re looking for community groups to encourage their friends and neighbors to complete the survey as well. Service organizations, men’s clubs, 4-H clubs and the like are welcome to join our efforts.

The survey will help us create a solid map of where we lack reliable and affordable internet access. That map and the data derived from the survey will be used to apply for funds to build an affordable, reliable broadband system throughout Vermilion County.

 If you have any questions, contact the Vermilion County Farm Bureau office at 217-442-8713 or Vermilion Advantage at 217-442-6201.