Submitted for use on Nov. 2, 2023
Word Count: 431
By State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg)
The Internet is now a part of everything we do – how we bank, pursue an education, connect with family and friends, and even provide health care, which is why having reliable broadband access in Indiana is critical.
Unfortunately, much of rural Indiana still does not have adequate access to high-speed internet. This includes Ripley and Franklin counties, which are not designated broadband-ready communities and face deployment challenges with internet providers.
To navigate this, the state continues to responsibly invest millions of dollars in expanding broadband to unserved and underserved areas through the Next Level Connections Broadband Program. The General Assembly created the program in 2019 to connect Indiana residents and support internet providers through matching grants.
The federal government also announced a $868 million award for Indiana through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, and I am pleased to see Indiana Broadband's grant funding proposal focus on further connecting unserved and underserved residents by prioritizing projects with providers proven successful.
I share concerns with local constituents regarding the lack of broadband access and have expressed them with our state executive and broadband officials. The state continues to work with local governments to help make all 92 counties broadband-ready, and as your state senator, I plan to further help Senate District 42 receive state and federal funding so all residents in need can get connected.
At the same time, the state asks for your help. Home or business owners in an area without broadband access should notify the state and request access by calling 833-639-8522 or filling out an application through the Next Level Connections portal by visiting in.gov/ocra/broadband/icp.
You can also notify the state by mailing to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs at:
Indiana Broadband Connect Center
The Office of Community and Rural Affairs
1 N. Capitol Ave.
Suite 600
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Additionally, reporting your internet speed can help ensure the state has accurate broadband data, can better identify underserved areas and obtain additional funding for broadband expansion and upgrades. To run a speed test visit in.gov/indianabroadband/connecting-indiana-speed-test.
We must expand broadband access in Indiana to advance our economy and quality of life, and that requires multiple parties' help – federal, state and local governments and even constituents. We have made good progress in getting residents access, but much of rural Indiana remains unconnected. I look forward to working on this issue further and seeing what more our state can do to improve internet access in our communities.
If you have any questions or concerns on these or other topics, feel free to contact me at Senator.Leising@iga.in.gov or 317-232-9400.
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State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) represents Senate District 42, which includes Decatur, Fayette, Ripley and Rush counties, and portions of Franklin, Jennings and Shelby counties.
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