LOUISVILLE, IL — Wabash Communications CO-OP, in partnership with the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), has awarded a $5,000 Community Grant to the Greater Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce to help launch its new Community Leadership Academy. An eight-month program designed to cultivate emerging leaders across southern Illinois.
The FRS Community Grant Program supports projects that improve the quality of life in rural areas served by NTCA The Rural Broadband Association members. Wabash Communications CO-OP, a long-standing member of NTCA, proudly nominated the Greater Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce for this year’s grant cycle.
“We’re thrilled to see this funding here in our region,” said Barry Adair, CEO/GM of Wabash. “Developing future leaders who are invested in their communities is key to long-term growth. This is exactly the type of project the FRS grant program is designed to support.”
Founded in 1921, the Greater Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce has spent more than a century serving businesses and individuals throughout Jefferson County and beyond. Its mission is to strengthen and support local enterprises through networking, marketing, and advocacy. The Community Leadership Academy will expand on that mission by offering structured leadership training, exposure to local industries, and networking opportunities for young professionals and emerging leaders.
“This program is about building capacity for the future,” said Jamie Storey, Executive Director of Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. “With this grant, we can equip our next generation of leaders with the tools, connections, and confidence to make a lasting impact right here at home.”
The Community Leadership Academy will kick off in early 2026 with monthly full-day sessions focusing on leadership development, business tours, and civic engagement. Graduates will be prepared to take on leadership roles in local organizations, boards, and businesses, strengthening the region’s economic and community foundations.
Wabash Communications CO-OP is a member-owned telecommunications cooperative based in Louisville, Illinois. For over 70 years, Wabash has provided reliable, high-speed internet, streaming TV, phone, and security services to homes and businesses across South Central Illinois. Guided by the seven cooperative principles, Wabash is dedicated to connecting rural communities, supporting local growth, and delivering advanced technology with hometown service.
For more information about the FRS Community Grant, please contact Wabash Communications CO-OP at info@wabash.coop or visit www.wabash.coop.
Wabash is proud to partner with local organizations like the Greater Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce to strengthen the communities we serve. Whether it’s connecting residents through broadband or supporting programs that build future leaders, Wabash remains committed to making a lasting impact across South Central Illinois.
