By CANDY NEAL
cneal@dcherald.com

Perry-Spencer Communications will use a state grant to provide broadband service to some unserved areas in Dubois County.

PSC was awarded a $5 million Next Level Connections Broadband Grant. The company will provide $2.81 million for the $7.81 million project.

The project is installing fiber to provide high-speed internet service, said Wayne Blake of PSC.

It will take at least two years before PSC starts noticeable work on the project. Some engineering work may start in 2021, with mainline fiber construction work likely starting in 2022, Blake explained.

“Right now, we are in the midst of doing projects for Spencer and Perry counties,” he said.

PSC’s project will cover 679 homes, according to information released by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s office.

The areas that will be served are designated by U.S. Census blocks, each of which may include parts of communities and are spread out in the county. Some areas around Ireland, some small areas near Ferdinand and Huntingburg, and some areas in and around the Schnellville, Celestine and Birdseye areas are included.

Blake suggested people go to fiber.psci.net and plug in their address and zip code to see if their home is included in the project area. “That is the best way to be certain,” Blake said. “The portal will give them the message of whether they are covered or not.”

People can also use the website to sign up now for the future services. “It will give us an idea of how many of those residences are interested,” Blake said.

PSC is already present in Dubois County. The company has service available for residences in Ferdinand, Huntingburg and Holland, as well as service for businesses in Jasper.

Holcomb and Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch announced last month that $51 million was awarded in the second round of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant program for 50 broadband infrastructure expansion projects that will serve 10,590 homes and commercial locations across 32 counties. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs administers and oversees the program.