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Project Manager
Indiana Broadband Office
The Indiana Broadband Office has been hard at work traveling, attending webinars and learning about upcoming federal funds that will be coming to Indiana through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
IBO is currently preparing an application for planning funding to create a State Digital Equity Plan (DE). This grant program is a $60M formula grant program for states, territories and tribal governments to develop digital equity plans that promote digital equity and inclusion. They aim to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy.
Our office is also preparing a letter of intent to participate in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) which provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs. As the state prepares to apply for BEAD and DE funding, we will be tasked with creating a state 5-year plan of how we will use these funds to connect each Indiana resident who is currently lacking affordable, reliable internet connectivity. Public engagement will be a primary component of the BEAD and DE state plans. Local leaders can begin by reviewing the IBO Steps to Success to ensure that their communities are ready to engage in IBO's applications for expanding connections across Indiana.
Be ready: we will have 9 months to create this plan. We need to know from you where the coverage gaps are in your community, device access issues, affordability of service, programs for how to use technology, etc. Together, we can solve these issues!
For questions, please reach out to IBO at INbroadband@lg.in.gov.
Earnie Holtrey
Project Manager
Indiana Broadband Office
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IBO has developed 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.
PEW Charitable Trusts recently hosted the Broadband Access Summit that took place June 21-22. During this Summit, Earnie Holtrey, Indiana Broadband Office's Project Manager, was able to serve on a panel of community stakeholders to discuss how state, local and Tribal governments can work together and share information, resources and assets to achieve goals for BEAD, the Digital Equity Act and more. The panel was moderated by Tamarah Holes, Virginia Department of House and Community Development. Holtrey was also joined on the panel by Tom Curtain, National Governors Association for Best Practices; Adam Geisler, Officer of Internet Connectivity and Growth at NTIA; and Jason Inofuetes, Albemarle County, Virginia.
Allen County, Indiana has put out a request for proposals (RFP) to broadband providers across Indiana to create a partnership to apply for U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Middle Mile (MM) Grant Program.
The MM program aims to improve connections in unserved and underserved areas by providing high-speed access through broadband funding. Allen County has recognized the need for this assistance in their community. To apply, Allen County must partner with a broadband technology company, electric utility, utility cooperative, public utility district, telecommunications company and/or telecommunications cooperative to pursue this opportunity.
To read Allen County's full RFP, click here.
 Recently, IBO's Chief Broadband Officer, Jodi Golden, attended the National Governors Association's Broadband, Workforce Innovation and Digital Equity Summit in New Orleans. There, she was able to engage in a national dialogue about advancing broadband access and digital skills throughout our country's workforce.
This Summit was also attended by the Assist Secretary for Communications and Information at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Alan Davidson, and the Executive Director of ConnectLA, Veneeth Iyengar, both pictured above.
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch is continuing to meet Hoosiers from different industries and communities in 2022. Her travels have brought many opportunities to hear local issues and observe programs that are building a better Indiana. She is looking forward to many more visits this spring and summer.
Vigo County, Ind.- Lt. Gov. Crouch visited Vigo County's Griffin Bike Park and Fowler Park to celebrate the opening of and expansion of three new trails. Crouch's visit aims to encourage hoosiers everywhere to explore and discover new trails #INIndiana!
NAWBO Indianapolis - Lt. Gov. Crouch attended the National Association of Women Business Owner's Indianapolis Chapter for their luncheon on June 23rd to commemorate their 25th anniversary. Crouch was honored as the keynote speaker where she recognized the hardworking and exceptional women business owners in the state of Indiana.
Zionsville Chamber - Lt. Gov. Crouch joined the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce to discuss ideas and opportunity to forward economic development in the area. Crouch was able to serve as a guest speaker for the Chamber's Business Breakfast Series and met with many businesses owners from Zionsville.
Great Fort Wayne Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Lt. Gov. Crouch recently attended the Great Fort Wayne Hispanic Chamber's Cuarto Jueves Breakfast. During this event Crouch was able to meet with current Chamber members and converse with community leaders to discuss how the state of Indiana can increase the success of Hispanic/Latino owned businesses.
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 next Broadband Champion! 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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