The University of Illinois Broadband Lab has performed a study detailing areas in DeWitt County that could be utilized to reinforce connectivity strength. 

At Monday night's DeWitt County Land Use Committee Meeting, Richard Proffer and Kat Johns with the University of Illinois Extension Broadband Lab provided information on a study they were contracted to do, detailing the vertical assets of the County. 

The importance of these vertical assets lies in their potential to house equipment that could improve an area's wireless connection. This could address concerns in rural areas about reaching emergency services due to bad connectivity. 

The study aims to point out existing structures that could be utilized in areas of high need. This would stop the erecting of possibly unsightly or expensive cell towers and improve safety while still bringing further development into the County. 

Proffer urged the Committee to consider this report and share it with local Internet Service Providers, or ISPs, stating the importance of service areas with low penetration off highspeed connection. 

The duo addressed the Committee during the Public Comment portion of the meeting. The intent was to equip the members with information that could be useful in the future, and was not in response to a specific issue in the County.