Gov. Holcomb announces additional $6.3 million in Next Level Broadband grants
Brings the total grant amount to $28.4 million for the program’s first round
INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced the Next Level Broadband program has awarded an additional $6.3 million in funding to bring the first round total to $28.4 million for 14 broadband expansion infrastructure projects across the state.
The total first round funding will provide broadband infrastructure to more than 11,300 homes and commercial locations in 18 counties.
“In the 21st century, high quality, affordable broadband is essential to the success of Hoosiers and our state,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Economic development, the health of our citizens and our quality of life will be directly impacted by expanding broadband to these unserved areas.”
Today’s award of $6.3 million for three broadband expansion infrastructure projects closes the Next Level Broadband program’s first round of funding. The initial $22.1 million for 11 broadband expansion infrastructure projects was announced in August.
The $100 million Next Level Broadband program is the largest single state investment in broadband. For the first round of funding, service providers could apply for up to $5 million per project to expand service to unserved areas if they provided at least a 20 percent match. Unserved areas are those without at least one telecommunication provider offering internet fast enough to provide the most basic services – at least 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload.