COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Bartholomew County Council has approved a tax abatement for the internet investment company Meridiam, which will allow the internet and broadband capabilities of the county to be transformed.

The council approved a 95% abatement of all property taxes owed over the next 20 years by Hoosier Network, LLC, a subsidiary of Meridiam. The council also voted to establish the unincorporated parts of Bartholomew County as an economically revitalized area. Due to costs, Meridiam’s investment was contingent on the abatement.

Both were approved with six votes in favor. Councilman Bill Lentz abstained due to a conflict of interest. The project will begin right away to give Bartholomew County residents fast and reliable internet. “It may take some time due to its scale,” said Commissioner Tony London, who also chairs the Bartholomew County Broadband Initiative Committee.

Meridiam, which has entered a similar agreement with the city of Columbus, plans to spend over $30 million buying and distributing fiber optic cable, with a goal of reaching nearly 12,000 homes over the next two-and-a-half years, according to county officials.

“Putting fiber-optics in the home is going to be something our grandkids are going to be using down the road and it’s good to know that we’re going to play a part in making that happen,” added London.

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