Curt Barkey with Kosciusko Connect, center, speaks at the Sidney Town Council meeting on Monday, June 10, at the Sidney-Jackson Township fire station. Seated from left are Council members Rebecca Adams and Sharon Rancourt, Town Clerk-Treasurer Lisa Parrett and Council President Gavin Parrett. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

SIDNEY — A groundbreaking ceremony for broadband internet in Sidney is 4 p.m. Thursday, June 27.

The Sidney Town Council heard that news at its meeting on Monday, June 10.

Present at the meeting were Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe and Kosciusko Connect’s Curt Barkey.

Kosciusko County has agreed to use some of its American Rescue Plan Act funds from the federal government to pay for fiber for broadband in the town.

Kosciusko Connect, Kosciusko REMC’s internet provider, is doing the work.

Barkey gave some basics on the service.

The fiber will reach 93 address points. Speeds are to reach from 100 Mbps to 1 GB.

He said the three residential packages available to customers will range from $49.95 to $79.95 monthly.

“We’re still shooting for the end of the second quarter (this year) to get folks connected up,” said Barkey.

Everyone is welcome to come out to the groundbreaking on June 27.

In other business, the council:

• Heard from firefighter Samuel Politano that the Sidney-Jackson Township Fire Department is applying for a $28,000 grant from the K21 Health Foundation for a ZOLL health monitor to be used for medical calls. The fire department has to match 20% if it receives the grant. The council let the department know it can provide up to $500 for the match portion.
• Heard the fire department’s ice cream social is 1-4 p.m. Sunday, June 30, at the fire station.

The council’s next meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 8, at the fire station.