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Project Manager
Indiana Broadband Office
The world of broadband has kept busy since the release of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). NTIA has released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program (BEAD), the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program (DEA), and the Middle Mile Grant Program (MM), all part of the IIJA.
What does this mean for Indiana? The Governor’s and Lieutenant Governor’s Offices, Indiana Broadband Office and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs have all been reviewing this information in-depth over the last couple of weeks, and I am excited to give you an update as to our strategies moving forward:
BEAD – We are actively working internally on strategizing our tactics to begin the process of developing the required Five Year Plan. As you are aware, this requires an extensive public outreach and engagement campaign, of which you, as a stakeholder and partner, will be involved in. We will be in touch in the coming weeks and months with this critical piece of the BEAD process.
DEA – We plan to partner with the Purdue Center for Regional Development on this program, as they have already done and continue to do work in the digital inclusion space. For example, please note Digital Divide Index and the Digital Distress data located on the Rural Indiana Stats page. This too, will include public engagement and outreach, and will tie into the Five Year Plan required by BEAD. Don’t be surprised if you also hear from Roberto Gallardo and his team at PCRD on this grant program.
Middle Mile – This program focuses on enabling the deployment or extension of middle mile infrastructure. Currently, the State does not have an existing middle mile grant program. Given that this program is open to other entities, such as ISPs, Utilities, Cooperatives and others, the State does not intend to create a new subgrantee middle mile program. Therefore, we encourage eligible entities with a need for middle mile assistance to review the NOFO and program guidelines and pursue this program if appropriate.
For questions, please reach out to IBO at INbroadband@lg.in.gov.
Earnie Holtrey
Project Manager
Indiana Broadband Office
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IBO is currently developing an area of the website dedicated to Digital Inclusion and Adoption.
Digital inclusion refers to the ability of individuals and groups to access and use broadband as a communication tool.
Adoption refers to those individuals and groups who choose to subscribe to available broadband service.
This new section of the website is a collection of tools and resources for individuals, businesses, organizations, providers and communities with the goal of digital inclusion and adoption across Indiana.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program helping ensure households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. To learn more about this program's eligibility, please visit fcc.gov/acp.
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Indiana Broadband Office has been busy visiting various counties across the State! From Broadband Ready Community announcements to grant awards and everything in between, IBO travels to educate communities and celebrate broadband achievements.
Does your community have a need to learn more about broadband? Do you know a county, town or city that is celebrating broadband? Send an email to INbroadband@lg.in.gov.
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Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch recently visited Pulaski County, accompanied by Indiana Broadband Office Project Manager Earnie Holtrey, to help community leaders celebrate their recent accomplishment of becoming a Broadband Ready Community.
At the Pulaski County Broadband Ready Community Celebration, the community heard from Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, former IBO Director Scott Rudd and several area providers. Congratulations to community leaders on their efforts to bring high- speed internet to every acre of Pulaski County!
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Shout out to Indiana's Broadband Champions!
This exciting initiative focuses on the game changers in communities across Indiana that work hard through collaboration, planning and relationship-building to bring broadband to their area.
Have you viewed our most recent Broadband Champions? In case you missed it, here they are:
Be on the lookout for the following Broadband Champion to be released next month! Is there someone who should be considered for an upcoming video? Email INbroadband@lg.in.gov to nominate a community's Broadband Champion!
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