A local effort to bring high-speed internet access to every home in Lovelock is gaining traction if it can secure an available federal grant.
John Schumacher, of Lovelock Highspeed, a high-speed internet provider who has already privately invested $1.4 million into a fiber infrastructure network throughout Lovelock, is now applying for a $3 million U.S. Department of Agriculture Community Connect grant to complete the buildout and begin connecting individual homes.
Both the Pershing County Broadband Advisory Board and the Lovelock City Council are considering submitting letters of support for Schumacher’s grant application at the request of Amanda Burrows, Blonnie Scoggin, and Chuck Sayles on behalf of the broadband committee through. The letter emphasized the critical need for broadband in Lovelock for emergency communications, telehealth, and education.
During recent public meetings, the scope of Schumacher’s investment was highlighted. According to discussions, fiber has already been installed through much of town, and the next phase involves tapping homes into the system. Schumacher has also offered to provide one gigabit fiber service to the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office at no cost and suggested he could connect multiple county buildings for $800 to $900 per month, far below market rates.
At the Pershing County Commission meeting, some skepticism was expressed over whether Schumacher has followed through on past commitments, with one commissioner describing him as a “salesman.” However, others acknowledged his tangible investment and called the project a significant opportunity for the community. No formal action was taken, but the commissioners discussed agendizing the item for a future vote.
The Lovelock City Council also discussed the letter of support at their May 6 meeting. While no vote was taken, council members were broadly supportive and agreed to bring the item back on a future agenda.
“The Broadband Advisory Board is asking us to submit a letter of support for the high-speed internet company… John Schumacher,” one council member said. “He’s already put in $1.4 million of his own money and is asking USDA for $3 million more to finish it.”
Reliable broadband access remains a key issue for public safety, education, and economic development in rural Nevada. If the grant is approved and the project completed, Lovelock would be among the few rural towns with citywide fiber internet access, a game-changer for the entire community.
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