Southern Indiana Business Report
INDIANAPOLIS – Another round of funds for broadband expansion was announced Thursday by Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
A total of 152 addresses will gain access to high-speed broadband as a result of $657,886 awarded in the ninth round of the Indiana Connectivity Program.
The expansion will improve access to 13 addresses in Dubois County. According to information from OCRA, the state award for Dubois County is $48,695; the total investment is $67,000.
The Indiana Connectivity Program helps Hoosier residents and business owners, often in rural areas, obtain access to reliable broadband by assisting internet providers with the expense of extending its services to underserved locations of Indiana.
“There is a direct connection between quality of life and reliable broadband service,” said Crouch. “Congratulations to these 152 households and businesses who put in the work to obtain this funding and move Indiana one step closer to every Hoosier having access to broadband in their communities.”
Of the 152 addresses funded in the Indiana Connectivity Program’s ninth round, 146 are households and six are businesses. Internet providers carrying out the projects are matching $1,016,458 for a total investment of $1,674,344. To find a list of providers granted funding, visit in.gov/ocra/broadband/icp.
“In today’s world, having access to reliable broadband is needed to work, learn, connect, receive telehealth care and more,” said OCRA Executive Director Duke Bennett. “However, many rural Hoosiers are lacking adequate service, which makes this program so essential. Thanks to the Indiana Connectivity Program, these 152 homes and businesses will soon have access to high-speed internet service.”
The program accepts addresses on a rolling basis. Hoosiers and business owners lacking internet connectivity can communicate their interest by entering their address and information into the Next Level Connections portal at in.gov/ocra/broadband. Submitting location information into the portal does not guarantee extension of service.
Broadband providers must complete their projects within nine months of the contract date. For more information, visit in.gov/ocra/broadband/icp.