Muncie promotes itself as broadband-ready

Muncie City Council on Monday introduced an ordinance establishing the city as "a broadband-ready community."

The ordinance, which could be finalized at city council's August meeting, would speed the process for a developer intending "construction or development of wireline or wireless communications facilities to provide communications services."

Arron Kidder, a consultant for Mayor Dennis Tyler, presented the ordinance to city council. Kidder said the city had been working with local economic development officials on the proposal.

"A broadband-ready community would offer a path of least resistance to developers who might put in broadband in the community," Kidder said. "It's one more notch in our belt."

Officials hope fast internet connections throughout the city would encourage economic development as well as the quality of life and quality of place improvements that Tyler has often referred to as a way of attracting new residents, workers and creators.