SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – The Rural Nebraska Healthcare Network (RNHN), a consortium of nine rural hospitals and related clinics in western Nebraska, held a ceremonial groundbreaking November 19 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Neb., for construction of a new $18M fiber optic medical network that will extend throughout the Nebraska panhandle. The project is made possible with the support of Regional West Foundation and in cooperation with Fiberutilities Group, Zayo Group, LLC, and Adesta, LLC.

Utilizing federal funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program of the Federal Communications Commission, in conjunction with funding provided by Zayo Group, the RNHN will connect nine primary care hospitals and dozens of affiliated clinics creating one of the most advanced and robust medical technology networks in Nebraska. “This fiber network will facilitate the deployment of advanced medical technologies, and vastly improve patient care and physician communication,” said Lisa Bewley, Chief Information Officer for Regional West Medical Center.

The RNHN partnered with Zayo Group, a Colorado based provider of Bandwidth Infrastructure and Network Neutral Colocation Services, in the construction of the network that will enable additional commercial telecommunications products to be offered in under-served rural Nebraska.

“Zayo is pleased to be a part of constructing the network that will enable communities in Western Nebraska access to advanced medical care,” stated Glenn Russo, President, Zayo Networks. “We will also be significantly advancing the overall communication capabilities within these communities by offering high bandwidth services over this new fiber network to businesses, government agencies and communications companies throughout western Nebraska.”

The proposed 750 mile fiber network spans 12 counties in western Nebraska, and will connect to national research networks such as National Lambda Rail and Internet 2 in Denver, Colorado. Adesta, LLC, a local Nebraska company is about to begin the network construction “We are excited to be here today to celebrate and commemorate this amazing network that will undoubtedly revolutionize healthcare in the panhandle of Nebraska,” said Bob Sommerfeld, President of Adesta. Adesta is going to hit the ground running, and we are looking forward to a timely completion. We are very honored to be a part of this.”

Almost two years in the planning, the RNHN has utilized Fiberutilities Group LLC, an Iowa based technology and management firm, to handle the planning, financing, operational and government coordination functions necessary to make the project a reality. “This network represents the power of people working together,” said Kent Van Metre, Vice President with Fiberutilities Group. “With tremendous support from the FCC, and by partnering with community-oriented organizations like Zayo and Adesta, the RNHN is poised to have a truly state-of-the-art, advanced health care network.”