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Project Manager
Indiana Broadband Office
Happy September! School is back in full swing and our dependence on broadband connectivity has never been more important. Although most schools are back to fully in-person classes, many are continuing to use broadband as a vital educational tool. While teachers are no longer hosting classes from their living rooms, many are still reliant on the internet for online learning activities, inputting grades, updating learning materials and tracking the overall progress of their students. Students, too, still heavily rely on broadband to help them gain their education and provide accessible learning options. With broadband, students are able to complete homework online, communicate with teachers and access tools needed for both online and in-person learning.
The state of Indiana has made great strides towards broadband infrastructure and ensuring that every school, home, and office is able to gain access; however, there are still many homes and communities in need of accessible and affordable connectivity. For those who may not have access at home, there are options for free connectivity hotspots and public connectivity locations. If you are in need of connectivity, visit Indiana Broadband’s map of public locations across the state to find public schools, public libraries, internet providers, higher education institutions, and other public locations that can provide accessible connectivity. This comprehensive map is updated often to provide the most accurate information in relation to public connectivity. If you are aware of any other locations in your area, you are also able to submit locations by emailing INbroadband@lg.in.gov.
For questions, please reach out to IBO at INbroadband@lg.in.gov.
Earnie Holtrey
Project Manager
Indiana Broadband Office
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On Friday, September 9, the Indiana Broadband Office, along with the Office of Management and Budget, submitted a Request for Proposal to hire a consultant to assist with the BEAD State 5-year plan.
The RFP #23-72042 can be found here. Additional information regarding deadlines for the RFP can be found in this main document, specifically in "Summary of Milestones" in Section 1.24.
At a high level, here is a list of what the IBO is looking for:
1. Create a five-year Broadband Action Plan with the goal of providing broadband access to every Hoosier that meets all requirements within the BEAD program guidelines.
2. Develop and implement a statewide public and stakeholder engagement plan to inform the BEAD five-year plan. Additionally, provide a comprehensive plan to communicate state planning efforts, goals and timelines to residents, providers and state and local leadership officials.
3. Provide suggestions and examples of sub-grantee infrastructure deployment competitive funding programs used across the industry.
4. Assist with analyzing new FCC Maps being published to position the state of Indiana for broadband expansion.
5. Coordinate with Digital Equity Program Plan consultants (PCRD) and IBO staff on the merging of the DEA Plan and BEAD Plan.
Please see the RFP main document for the detailed Scope of Work in its entirety. All additional questions regarding the consultant RFP should be directed to Stephanie Nelson at SteNelson@idoa.in.gov.
Earlier this month, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch designated Shelby County as a Broadband Ready community.
“Our Task Force has been working with Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (SIRPC) on gathering information on the needs of Shelby County and its residents,” stated Shelby County Commissioner Kevin Nigh. “We are looking forward to working with partners on developing a strategic plan to provide the most economical broadband expansion to our residents of Shelby County.”
The Broadband Ready Communities Program was created as a tool to encourage broadband development throughout Indiana. The certification sends a signal to the telecommunication industry that a community has taken steps to reduce barriers to broadband infrastructure investment.
Crouch expressed excitement at the growing list of broadband Ready Communities stating, "Another Hoosier community has prioritized broadband development here in Indiana. Congratulations to Shelby County on becoming a certified Broadband Ready Community.”
As IBO prepares for the last quarter of the year, the office is reflecting on the number of communities that have taken a step towards better connectivity for their citizens by becoming broadband ready. The total number of Broadband Ready communities is nearing 75, and IBO is looking forward to reaching over 100 communities.
To read more about the Broadband Ready communities and learn how your community can begin the process, click here.
Announced on August 31, the U.S. Treasury approved Indiana's plans to use $187 million of the Capital Projects Fund for Next Level Connections Round 3, a broadband grant program designed to provide funds for the deployment of broadband infrastructure to underserved areas in Indiana.
The Capital Projects Fund directly supports recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency by strengthening and improving the infrastructure necessary for participation in work, education, and health monitoring that will last beyond the pandemic.
For the Next Level Connections grant program, $187 million was awarded for 154 broadband infrastructure expansion projects across Indiana. Matching and surpassing that amount, 35 telecommunications providers and utility cooperatives involved in projects contributed $239 million, increasing the total to $429 million to fund broadband grant projects.
To continue reading about this grant program, click here.
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