Here’s why thousands lacking access to broadband in central Illinois is important – State Journal-Register (Springfield)

President and CEO of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance Ryan McCrady works with prospective businesses to determine where they should open operations, and access to utilities is a common question. "That used to mean water, electricity, natural gas and now it means broadband," he said. "That's a standard utility. It's not something that's nice to have, if they absolutely want to know what exists, they have to have it."