FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kyra Helming, Press Secretary
317-232-9498
STATEHOUSE (April 22, 2022) — Rural broadband projects in Senate District 43 will receive a total of $24,330,289.61 to improve broadband connectivity through the third round of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program, said State Sen. Chip Perfect (R-Lawrenceburg).
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 43, the following providers were awarded grants:
• AT&T
AT&T received a grant to expand broadband access to 159 households and six businesses in Bartholomew, Johnson and Owen counties.
• Comcast
Comcast received two grants to expand broadband access to 824 households and 157 businesses in Bartholomew and Jennings counties.
• 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.
• Mainstream Fiber Network
Mainstream Fiber Network received two grants to expand broadband access to 221 households and 18 businesses in Bartholomew County.
• Miles Communications
Miles Communications received four grants to expand broadband access to 359 households and 248 businesses in Bartholomew, Decatur, Franklin, Jennings and Ripley counties.
• 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.
"Broadband access is necessary to improve Indiana's quality of life and business environments," Perfect said. "I'm very pleased to see Senate District 43 receive this funding, as it will provide Hoosiers with better access to telemedicine, virtual learning, e-commerce and much more."
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 Perfect.
