By State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper)
In recent years, the state of Indiana has been working to bring access to reliable, high-speed internet to all Hoosiers – especially those in rural communities that lack the infrastructure needed for broadband.
Like the need to expand electricity in the early 20th century, the internet is a vital piece of infrastructure that allows rural Hoosiers to have the same benefits as their neighbors across the state.
Broadband internet can be used for educational, economic and entertainment purposes. It is also an important tool as the state recruits more businesses and talent to call Indiana home.
Back in 2018, Purdue University estimated that almost 100,000 Hoosiers lived in internet darkness because they lacked access to high-speed internet.
In 2021, the state created the Indiana Connectivity Program and established the Indiana Broadband Connectivity Portal to allow Hoosiers to request broadband service and allow internet service providers to submit bids for a Rural Broadband Grant to spread high-speed internet access.
Through this program, the state had made significant improvement in bringing high-speed internet to rural Indiana. In the most recent round of funding from the program, the state invested more than $100,000 in Senate District 48 to help spread broadband access to our community.
Hoosiers and business owners can submit their address and information to potentially be included in future rounds of funding by phone at 1-833-639-8522 or by mail at Indiana Broadband Connect Center, 1 N. Capitol Ave., Suite 600, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
As always, constituents can reach out to me with any questions or concerns by email at s48@iga.in.gov or by phone at 1-800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48,
which includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
