Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced the second round of the Indiana Connectivity Program awarded $259,697 to expand broadband access to 58 addresses across 19 Indiana counties. The program is a new resource designed to help more Hoosier residents and business owners obtain access to high-speed, quality broadband.
The Indiana Connectivity Program acts as a tool to connect residents and businesses that lack internet service with internet service providers and assist in the expense of extending high-speed internet to unserved and underserved locations.
“The Indiana Connectivity Program empowers Hoosiers and gives them a voice to express their need for broadband services,” Crouch said. “This will have a great impact on those who live and work in these 58 locations, as they can learn, work, shop and connect with others online. I encourage Hoosiers to continue applying for the program so we can work to expand broadband access to all corners of the state.”
Of the 58 addresses funded, 56 are households and two are businesses. Internet providers carrying out the projects are matching over $265,000 for a total investment of more than $524,700. To find a list of providers granted funding, visit in.gov/ocra/broadband/icp.
“One of the growing issues among rural communities continues to be access to reliable broadband,” said OCRA Executive Director Denny Spinner. “Through the second round of the Indiana Connectivity program, 56 families will be able to work or study from home, and two business owners will be able to connect with customers online.”
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.
Hoosiers can also initiate interest by calling the Indiana Broadband Connect Center, which is open on business days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., ET. Hoosiers can reach the call center at 833-639-8522. Submitting location information into the Next Level Connections Broadband portal does not guarantee extension of service.
Internet providers must complete their projects within nine months of the contract date. For more information, visit in.gov/ocra/broadband/icp.
