News Releases

Leising: Senate District 42 awarded broadband funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jesse Cordray, Press Secretary
Jesse.Cordray@iga.in.gov
317-232-9498

Leising: Senate District 42 awarded broadband funding

STATEHOUSE (Sept. 4, 2020) — Four rural broadband projects to improve internet service in Senate District 42 were recently awarded grant funding through the second round of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program, said State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg).

"As technology continues to advance our daily lives, it is vital rural communities have the same access to internet that urban and suburban communities do," Leising said. "Rural communities contribute immensely to our state's bottom line, so letting rural communities live in darkness can no longer be tolerated. As a proud resident of rural Indiana, I will continue to advocate for broadband funding in our state's next budget."

The following broadband companies serving SD 42 received funding in the latest announcement:

  • In partnership with Henry County Rural Electric Member Corporation, Central Indiana Communications received $361,711 with a local commitment of more than $194,767. The project will serve 70 unserved households and 10 businesses in Henry County.

  • New Lisbon Broadband and Communications received $10,649 with a local commitment of $16,657. The project will serve six unserved residences in south-central Henry County.

  • In a partnership with Southeastern Indiana Rural Electric Membership Corporation, SEI Communications received more than $3.21 million with a local commitment of more than $4.83 million. The project will serve 447 households, 58 businesses and 55 anchor stations in Dearborn, Franklin and Ripley counties.

  • In a partnership with Southeastern Indiana Rural Electric Membership Corporation, SEI Communications received $5 million with a local commitment of more than $8.4 million. The project will serve 2,263 households, 199 businesses and 24 anchor institutions in Jennings and Ripley counties and a small portion of Jefferson County.

In 2019, the Indiana General Assembly appropriated $100 million to the governor's Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program – the largest single state investment in the nation. Since August 2019, the state has invested $79 million, with projects in SD 42 receiving more than $8 million.

For further information on the program, click here.

-30-