Final round of broadband grants open today – Indiana Capital Chronicle
Final round of broadband grants open today Indiana Capital Chronicle
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Indiana’s Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program Offers $80 Million to Expand High-Speed Internet Access
The fourth and final round of Indiana’s Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program has officially opened, providing telecommunications providers and utilities with the opportunity to receive grants totaling $80 million. The aim of these grants is to deliver high-speed internet access to residents in Indiana, also known as Hoosiers.
Addressing the Priority of Affordable and Reliable High-Speed Connectivity
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasizes the significance of access to affordable and reliable high-speed connectivity. She states that it is the number one priority for Hoosiers across the state. The grant money, combined with matching funds from providers, will help bridge the gap between those who have broadband and those who do not, ultimately working towards achieving complete broadband saturation in Indiana.
Grant Details and Objectives
The current round of grants offers a combined $80 million in state and federal funds, with a maximum grant amount of $5 million per recipient. These grants are specifically intended to assist companies in expanding broadband internet connection in rural areas.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband as high-speed internet access that is consistent. This means that consumers must have actual download speeds of at least 25 megabits per second and actual upload speeds of at least 3 megabits per second.
While the FCC broadband map indicates that 98% of Hoosiers have broadband access, other sources such as a fact sheet from the American Rescue Plan reveal that 12.4% of Hoosiers still lack access, and nearly half only have access to one broadband provider.
Next Level Connections Initiative and Previous Grant Program Success
The Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program is part of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s broader Next Level Connections initiative, initially introduced as a $1 billion infrastructure program in 2018.
Since 2019, the NLC Broadband Grant Program has awarded over $249 million to 187 projects. These projects will ultimately provide broadband infrastructure to more than 69,154 homes, businesses, and other organizations across 81 counties in Indiana.
Guidelines and Requirements for Grant Recipients
According to specific guidance provided on the state website, funding will be prioritized for projects that offer upload and download speeds of 100 Mbps to as many locations as possible. Projects that provide a 1 gigabit connection to schools or rural health facilities will also receive special consideration.
Grant recipients are required to provide at least a 20% match of the total allowable project costs.
Application Deadline and Future Funding Plans
The deadline for submitting full applications is January 5, with selections expected to be made by May 15.
Gov. Eric Holcomb highlights the significant investments made since 2018 to connect Indiana residents to their neighbors, schools, and the rest of the world. He emphasizes that this final round of funding from the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program will play a critical role in the transition to the recently announced $868 million of additional funding from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The BEAD program, part of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will focus on connecting more Hoosiers and reducing the cost of internet service for lower-income households in the coming years.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure
- SDG 4.c: Increase the number of scholarships available to developing countries
- SDG 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Percentage of Hoosiers with broadband access
- Percentage of Hoosiers without broadband access
- Number of broadband providers available to Hoosiers
- Download speeds of at least 25 megabits per second
- Upload speeds of at least 3 megabits per second
- Number of homes, businesses, and organizations provided with broadband infrastructure
- Upload and download speeds of 100 Mbps to as many locations as possible
- Number of projects providing a 1 gigabit connection to schools or rural health facilities
- Percentage of project costs covered by grant recipients
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.1 Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure | – Percentage of Hoosiers with broadband access – Percentage of Hoosiers without broadband access – Number of broadband providers available to Hoosiers – Download speeds of at least 25 megabits per second – Upload speeds of at least 3 megabits per second – Number of homes, businesses, and organizations provided with broadband infrastructure |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.c Increase the number of scholarships available to developing countries | – Number of projects providing a 1 gigabit connection to schools |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2 Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all | – Percentage of Hoosiers without broadband access – Number of projects providing a 1 gigabit connection to rural health facilities – Percentage of project costs covered by grant recipients |
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Source: indianacapitalchronicle.com
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