Community Broadband Development

Illinois Extension partners with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Illinois Office of Broadband, Illinois Broadband Lab, and the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society to provide outreach and assistance aimed toward community and county broadband development and digital equity.

DESIGN

Broadband Infrastructure Survey Templates | Broadband Adoption Survey Templates | More

Contact us to launch your next survey and get assistance with planning, data collection, and analysis.

LEARN

BEAD-Funded Connect Illinois Round 4: Benefit of the Bargain Round

RECORDING | Join the Illinois Office of Broadband for an overview of the changes to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program following NTIA’s publication of the BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice on June 6.

Middle Mile and Fiber Access Opportunities

RECORDING | Join Illinois Office of Broadband and Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) to learn how to tap into the middle mile fiber network, Illinois Century Network, in preparation for the upcoming Benefit of the Bargain round.

Broadband Development Education

PLAYLIST | Learn about how to better situate your communities for broadband access, adoption, and use. Learn how to apply for and manage grants and enhance your communities' skills to access digital opportunities.

Outreach and Impact

Broadband Deployment and Project Management

Last year, Illinois Extension reached over 5000 professionals by partnering in outreach and technical assistance aimed at community engagement, education, planning, and development for community-driven broadband expansion.

Digital Solutions and Digital Skills

Last year, Illinois Extension reached over 3500 professionals with education on broadband adoption, use, and how communities might close the digital divide and increase opportunities for residents to access high speed internet and digital opportunities.