FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kyra Helming, Press Secretary
317-232-9498
Garten: $18 million in rural broadband
grants awarded locally
STATEHOUSE (April 21, 2022) — Rural broadband projects in Senate District 45 will receive a total of $18,420,905.87 to improve broadband connectivity through the third round of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program, said State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown).
Created with support from the General Assembly, the Next Level Broadband Grant Program is the largest single state investment in broadband. In total, rounds one, two and three of the program have awarded $268 million for broadband infrastructure for more than 74,800 homes and commercial locations. When combined with private and local investment, over $580 million has been leveraged since 2018. Projects will have been completed in 83 of Indiana’s 92 counties through the three rounds of the awards.
In Senate District 45, the following providers were awarded grants:
• Jackson County REMC
Jackson County REMC received a grant to expand broadband access to 882 households and 46 businesses in Brown, Jackson, Jennings, Lawrence and Washington counties.
• Miles Communications
Miles Communications received a grant to expand broadband access to 15 households and 13 businesses in Switzerland County.
• Southeastern Indiana REMC
Southeastern Indiana REMC received three grants to expand broadband access to 1,545 households and 123 businesses in Dearborn, Franklin, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland counties.
• Spectrum Mid-America
Spectrum Mid-America received six grants to expand broadband access to 2,502 households and 69 businesses in Clark, Jefferson, Scott and Switzerland counties.
"It is necessary to have broadband access across the state in order to grow our economy, educational opportunities and telemedicine," Garten said. "Ensuring all of Senate District 45 has accessible broadband is one of my top priorities, and I am confident these grants will move us toward accomplishing this. It is imperative that rural Indiana is not left behind."
This third round of funding will provide broadband infrastructure to more than 52,900 homes and commercial locations in 80 counties.
In addition, the 35 telecommunications providers and utility cooperatives contributed more than $239 million in matching funds, resulting in more than $429 million in total investments for broadband in the third round.
The program allows broadband service providers and utility cooperatives to apply for up to $5 million to expand service to unserved or underserved areas if they provide at least a 20% match.
A full list of the awards can be found here.
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Click here for a high-resolution photo of Garten.
