State grant program opens final round to stitch broadband divide
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Underserved communities may see their broadband connection strengthen soon if local entities take advantage of the final round of the state’s Next Level Connections Grant Program.
The program seeks to patch digital divides and build state infrastructure as part of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s $1 billion Next Level Connections initiatives.
The program has about $80 million state funds and federal Capital Project Funds left, and applications are open for a fourth and final iteration.
Telecommunications providers and utility cooperatives selected this round could see up to $5 million granted for project proposals. Those entities must provide at least a 20% match of total project costs.
“Whether I’m meeting with realtors in Allen County or farmers in Montgomery County, access to affordable and reliable high-speed connectivity is the number one priority around Indiana,” Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said in a news release. “As a state, we are aggressively closing the gap between Hoosiers who have broadband and Hoosiers who do not.”
Over $249 million dollars have been dished out to 187 projects across the state through the program with $547 million of matching funds. The state said close to 70,000 homes institutions and businesses in 81 counties have reaped the benefits of the increased broadband access.