SJVM HISTORY
In 2001, Project Future and the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce appointed a Technology Task Force to explore economic development opportunities in the emerging "new economy" and recommend strategies to advance the region's technological competitiveness.
The task force learned from key employers that:
Advanced IT was of growing importance to cultural programs and K-12 curricula, an integral part of higher education and research efforts and was becoming a necessity for businesses, healthcare institutions and government agencies.
They wanted high-speed connectivity for state-of-the-art communications and access to a wide range of information, resources and services.
Many organizations wanted access to "dark fiber" telecommunications infrastructure. ("Dark fiber" provides only a fiber optic path between two sites. To use that path for communications, users have their own equipment or employ a telecommunications service vendor who provides equipment to "light" the fiber.)
As a result, the St. Joe Valley Metronet, a non-profit corporation, was created with a mission to encourage technology-based economic development by providing readily available, high-speed telecom infrastructure at cost-effective prices. As a non-profit, Metronet can pursue its goals without having to choose between what's good for the community and what's good for a corporation's bottom line.
Metronet now provides a dark fiber network linking local users to long-haul trunk lines. The Metronet connects to "points of presence" where many telecommunications vendors are accessible. Availability of more vendors gives users a greater array of service choices and better pricing.
The Metronet is vendor neutral, providing infrastructure only - not telecom services. It is open to all service vendors and users who want to subscribe. The initial Metronet installation serves South Bend's Central Business District and East Bank District, the South Bend Regional Airport Industrial Park area, Indiana University South Bend, IVY Tech Community College, Blackthorn Development area, Notre Dame, Holy Cross and St. Mary's campuses, and the Bosch/Honeywell area.
