The Indiana Broadband Office (IBO) has announced the results of the 17th round of the Indiana Connectivity Program, featuring $250,749 in new Internet access grants that will connect 63 new locations across 21 counties in The Hoosier State.
The grant awards have been made possible by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Indiana set aside $30 million of its ARPA grant award specifically to improve Internet access to communities long-trapped on the wrong side of the digital divide.
According to an announcement by the IBO, nine providers received funding during this latest grant round.
While the grant amounts are relatively small, they’re a big deal to the small independent providers and member-owned cooperatives who received them.
- Auburn Essential Services: received $4,800 for one location
- Decatur County REMC: received $38,400 for eight locations
- Geetingsville Telephone Co.: received $4,800 for one location
- Johnson County REMC: received $9,600 for two locations
- Joink Inc.: received $34,930 for 11 locations
- Mainstream Fiber: received $19,019 for 11 locations
- Mulberry Telecommunications: received $4,800 for one location
- PSC Fiber: received $57,600 for 12 locations
- Surf Internet: received $76,800 for 16 locations
As of Round 17, the state program has allocated over $14 million to provide service to more than 3,600 households, businesses, and community anchor institutions.
“Every round of the Indiana Connectivity Program brings us closer to ensuring every rural resident gains the affordable and dependable internet access required for everyday tasks," Chief Broadband Officer Megan Minor said. "By assisting internet service providers with the expense of extending service, we can reach addresses that were previously deemed too costly to serve."
The full list of previous round grant awards and deployment maps are available at the Indiana Connectivity Program website.
