Quality of Life
Community development in Noble County is inspired by an idea that took root here in 2008, based upon concepts developed by the founders of Hometown Competitiveness (HTC). Introduced by the Dekko Foundation to local leaders, what resulted was the launch of the Thrive Steering Committee, a group of like-minded volunteers driven to promote the intentional development of programs and assets that fall under each of the five foundational pillars necessary for a high quality of life and thriving economy in our fresh air community. Today, the committee serves under the leadership of Be Noble Inc.
Community Investment
- Community Foundation of Noble County
- Dekko Foundation
- Over 100 non-profit organizations
Entrepreneurial Growth
- 231 Main Co-Working
- Five Chambers of Commerce
- Nationally Accredited Main Street organization
Youth Engagement
- Cole Family YMCA
- Many municipal parks & youth sports leagues
- P.U.L.S.E. youth philanthropy
- Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council
Cultural Enhancement
- Chain O’ Lakes State Park
- Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site
- 117 lakes & more than 30 public access sites
- Visual and performing arts programs
Leadership Development
- Engage Noble Leadership Academy
- Toastmasters
- Young Professionals Network
- Impact Institute
- Freedom Academy
Wired Noble
Broadband ReadyCommittedReadyConnected
Noble County is served by 18 internet service providers offering a range of services ranging from DSL to 2 Gig symmetric fiber optic broadband. Nearly 64% of addresses are currently served by 1 Gig speed. Leading local providers with transformational expansion projects is LigTel, founded in Noble County in 1896.
In early 2022, Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) announced that three LigTel projects will receive grant funding of $11.5 million, representing 6% of all funding awarded for projects in Indiana. Three projects LigTel submitted will bring high speed fiber internet to 3,200 more Noble County homes and businesses within two years. Ligtel will invest additional funds to enable 1,800 more addresses to take up service as well. Additional LigTel projects not funded by grants, to be completed in 2022 and early 2023, include deployment of fiber in the areas of Rome City and Sylvan Lake, Skinner Lake, Albion, and Laotto.
Other ISP providers are also actively working to provide high speed internet to unserved and underserved areas of Noble County.
For more information about local strategic efforts to expand broadband services, contact the EDC team.
