BEDFORD — A major step toward closing the digital divide in Lawrence County was celebrated on Wednesday, November 12, as AT&T announced the successful completion of two public-private fiber projects. The expansion, developed in cooperation with local leaders, brings high-speed AT&T Fiber access to thousands of homes, farms, and businesses in rural areas and the city of Bedford.
CEO Lawrence County Economic Growth Council Dan Bortner, AT&T Indiana President Bill
Soards, Lawrence County Commissioner Jeff McKnight, Lawrence County Commissioner Rodney Fish, Director of AT&T External Affairs Pepper Mulherin, and Lawrence County Commissioner Wally Branham.
The announcement, made at the Downtown Milwaukee Depot in Bedford, confirmed that the joint effort has extended fiber access to more than 3,600 locations in rural Lawrence County. Additionally, over 3,000 homes and businesses within the city of Bedford are now connected to the high-speed network.
Investment in Opportunity
The event featured appearances by State Senator Eric Koch, Lawrence County Commissioner Rodney Fish, and Lawrence County Economic Growth Council CEO Dan Bortner, alongside residents who are benefiting from the initiative.
AT&T Indiana President Bill Soards emphasized the importance of the infrastructure, presenting Commissioner Fish with a section of fiber optic cable as a symbolic representation of the crucial, though often unseen, connectivity that powers the modern economy.
“Today, we’re proud to do what we can to close the digital divide for families and businesses in Lawrence County—and connect them to greater possibilities,” said Soards.
100 Laptops Donated to Families in Need
Beyond the physical infrastructure, AT&T reinforced its commitment to digital equity with a significant donation. Soards announced a partnership with the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council and the non-profit Human-I-T to donate 100 refurbished laptops. These devices will be distributed through local community partners to families in need across the region.
Perry and Steven Deckard.
Dan Bortner, CEO of the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council, highlighted the transformative impact of the donation.
“Each laptop represents opportunity—a student completing homework, a parent applying for a new job, or a senior connecting with loved ones,” Bortner stated. “When we expand access to technology, we strengthen our schools, our workforce, and our entire community.”
The event included testimonials from residents like Steven Deckard, a recipient of this year’s program, and Sara Clardy, who received a device in the previous year’s distribution, underscoring the tangible positive change these projects are bringing to the community.
