GEDC and Chamber seek consultants for Broadband plan as part of Grundy Resiliency Project

MORRIS – The Grundy Resiliency Project is taking proposals for the Broadband Analysis, Strategy, and Feasibility Study – another part of the ongoing Grundy County Economic Diversification and Resiliency Plan.

The objective of this Broadband Analysis, Strategy and Feasibility Study is to provide a broadband framework and structural model that improves internet connectivity and access in Grundy County.

“Robust and reliable broadband are a key component to prospering economies and Grundy County is no exception,” said Nancy Norton, President & CEO of the GEDC. “An analysis, strategy and feasibility study of our current broadband abilities and future needs will provide us the framework needed to prepare us for our future.”

This is part of the resiliency project by the Grundy Economic Development Council and the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The organizations were given a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration at the end of 2022. These grants help nuclear host communities plan for and build more diverse, resilient economies. Grundy’s grant is being matched 20% by Grundy County, and North Central Illinois Council of Governments is assisting as the grant administrator.

The grant focuses on regions with nuclear plants and provides funding to local entities to evaluate economic impacts, competitive diversification, decommissioning issues and building community capacity.

In April, TIP Strategies was hired for the Economic Diversification and Resiliency Plan to identify, recommend, and justify key initiatives, action items, and market-driven opportunities for economic diversification in Grundy County to enhance the county’s economic prosperity and resilience. That plan is currently in the draft review phase with public engagement efforts beginning soon.

“There are a lot of phases and steps to the Grundy Resiliency Project and each one is imperative to our county’s future. The broadband portion is an important part of this project that we are eager to take on,” said Christina Van Yperen, President & CEO of the Grundy County Chamber.

The full RFP is available on resilientgrundy.com and includes the detailed scope of work, expected deliverables, timeline and other specifications. Proposals are due Nov. 22 by 4 p.m. to Norton and Chamber President & CEO Christina Van Yperen at [email protected] and [email protected].

The scope of the project is over 24 months and includes future steps of doing a broadband analysis and researching the decommissioning process of nuclear plants.