State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem) made the following statement today regarding the governor’s announcement of an additional $6.3 million in funding for the first round of the Next Level Broadband program, bringing the total funding to $28.4 million:
STATEHOUSE (Nov. 21, 2019) – “Today, an additional $1.3 million was announced for a project through Jackson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation. Combined with a local match of nearly $4 million, this funding will go toward establishing broadband internet for unserved households and businesses in several southern Indiana counties, including Washington County.
“Improving broadband access in rural communities is one of my top priorities as a lawmaker, and I am thrilled to see this additional funding. Reliable access to broadband has implications in all areas of Hoosiers’ lives, from K-12 and higher education to health care and tourism, and in order for Indiana to continue to improve in these areas, it’s crucial we continue to invest in broadband.
“During the 2020 legislative session, I will continue to introduce and support legislation to improve access to affordable and efficient broadband services, as I have each year since my election to the Indiana Senate.”
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Senate Enrolled Act 460 (2019), authored by Houchin, and House Enrolled Act 1065 (2018), sponsored by Houchin, laid the groundwork for Indiana’s broadband grant program and its corresponding fund.
For a high-resolution photo of Sen. Houchin, click here.
