Staff report
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS—Fifty projects across Indiana will receive a combined $51 million to expand the broadband infrastructure as part of the second round of the Next Level Broadband Grant Program.
Gov. Eric Holcomb, in announcing the funding Thursday, said that the spread of COVID-19 has made the need for affordable and dependable broadband more apparent. Hoosiers need quality internet access no matter where they live, he added.
The $100 million Next Level Broadband Grant Program is the largest single-state investment in broadband. In total, rounds one and two of the program have awarded more than $79 million for broadband infrastructure for more than 21,900 homes and commercial locations in 41 counties.
Among the projects receiving funding are proposals that were submitted by Joink, a Terre Haute area internet provider, with the goal of providing reliable and affordable broadband services to homes across multiple counties in West Central Indiana.
The funding, totaling $2 million, will allow expanding its current fiber-optic network to provide speed packages up to 1 Gbps to homes and businesses in the West Central Indiana region.
“I am very pleased that rural access is and continues to be on the forefront of the state’s initiatives,†said state Sen. Phil Boots, R-Crawfordsville.
Last year during round one, 14 projects were awarded more than $28 million. With more than $23 million in a local match, a total of more than $51 million was invested in broadband expansion. Information regarding a third round will be released in the future. For more information, visit https://www.in.gov/ocra/3018.htm.
Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program is part of Holcomb’s $1 billion Next Level Connections infrastructure program, which accelerates the completion of major highway projects, expands access to rural broadband services, creates more nonstop flights and pursues the expansion of rail projects in northwest Indiana.
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