(BRAZIL) – Clay County is seeking a grant to invest $2.9 million in broadband for areas not currently served.

A resolution passed unanimously by both Clay County Commissioners and County Council on Monday provides $866,158 in matching funds from the county in hopes of winning the competitive grant from the Next Level Connections Connections Broadband program from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

According to the state’s website, in.gov, “Indiana will invest $270 million toward improving broadband access and adoption in Indiana.”

County Commissioner Paul Sinders said he is very conservative but, “We as commissioners felt this is something we want to do.”

Sinders said he hopes eventually all homes and businesses will have access to broadband.

County Council President and businessman Larry Moss said, “This is something we are in dire need of.”

The installation will be done by the broadband company, JOINK.

In other news:

• The Clay County Council voted 7-0 to approve a $2 million water and road improvements project for PPG.

The project will build a water tower that will serve companies located in Industrial Park. “The water tower has been needed for a long, long, time,” Moss said.

The County Council approved raises for many county employees, most in the 2 percent to 3 percent range.

Over the years, county employee wages have fallen below those of other counties. With the 2022 election coming, the thought was that by raising wages, “the best candidates” would be attracted, Moss said.

Two county residents, Zachary Sneddon and Robert Dodson spoke in objection to a proposed jail expansion.

After listening to the objections, members of the County Council responded.

Moss said the reason for a possible jail expansion is not just to meet the needs of the  federal ICE program but to meet the projected needs of Clay County.

“This county will grow and we will have increased need for jail space,” Moss said. “We were very methodical about how we went about this jail expansion. For us to pull the trigger and do this (has) and will require much thought.”

No date has been set for a final decision on a jail expansion, however County Commissioner Paul Sinders is finalizing work on an information sheet about the proposed expansion and that will be made available on the WAMB The Breeze radio website. Sinders is also scheduled to be David Crooks’ guest on an upcoming extended radio interview.

Clay County Commissioner Paul Sinders gave more insight to the county’s plans to increase broadband access.  Click here to view video.