Fall is in full swing at the Indiana Broadband Office! As IBO continues to stay busy, we’re embracing the cool weather as we prepare for the holiday season. However, like most people, we could do without the 5 p.m. sunsets. But there are still exciting things taking place for IBO.
We’re continuing to work with NTIA on our BEAD and digital equity planning grant applications. As NTIA has begun notifying other states of their plan’s approval, we are optimistically anticipating that our application approval will soon be announced. To learn more about the BEAD application and the approval process, read this blog from the Purdue Center for Regional Development.
In addition, IBO was incredibly pleased with the number of responses received for our RFP to contract with a consultant to assist with our state BEAD 5-year plan. IBO hopes to name a candidate before New Year’s Day so we can begin 2023 by kicking off public engagement. To learn about the project timelines and get more information, visit our page here.
For questions, please reach out to IBO at INbroadband@lg.in.gov.
See you next time!
Earnie Holtrey
Deputy Director of the Indiana Broadband Office
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the timeline for the new National Broadband Map and the associated challenge processes for state, territories, local governments and other entities will be released on November 18th.
When published, the drafted maps will display location-level information on broadband availability throughout the country and allow people to search for their addresses, review and dispute the services reported by providers at their location.
Read the full FCC release here.
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Indiana Broadband Office Deputy Director, Earnie Holtrey, attended the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM) Ideas Summit in French Lick, Indiana. This summit spotlights the commitment to advancing Indiana municipalities across the state.
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Holtrey represented the IBO on a panel with members from the Office of Community & Rural Affairs (OCRA) and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). The panel was titled, “Find the Grants, Get the Grants, Administer the Grants,” where Holtrey provided information on the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) and compared formula versus competitive funding programs. He also discussed broadband and what to expect this coming year.
On November 3rd, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Broadband Office announced that Daviess County is now designated as an official Broadband Ready Community. The Broadband Ready Communities Program was created as a tool to encourage broadband development throughout Indiana.
The Broadband Ready Community certification sends a signal to the telecommunication industry that a community has taken steps to reduce barriers to broadband infrastructure investment.
“We are resilient in finding opportunities to bring reliable, high-speed internet to unserved and underserved Hoosiers across the state,” said Crouch. “Every day communities lead these initiatives to improve overall quality of life, and today we congratulate Daviess County leaders investing in their residents and becoming certified Broadband Ready.
The certification was approved by the Indiana Broadband Office following the Daviess County Commissioners' adoption of a Broadband Ready Community ordinance.
"We are excited to continue to advance Daviess County to the next level in broadband deployment,” said Daviess County Commissioner, Nathan Gabhart. “Meeting the needs of tomorrow's workforce requires us to continually be looking over the horizon. We pride ourselves in Daviess County for being on the cutting edge of technology and infrastructure to provide the best foundation for a strong economy."
Earnie Holtrey, Deputy Director of the Indiana Broadband Office congratulates Daviess County leadership on their initiative to become a Broadband Ready Community.
“It is exceptional to see the Daviess County Commissioners position their community in the most effective means possible towards affordable and reliable connectivity. This is a special day for the county and its residents, and we are honored to celebrate this designation with them,” said Holtrey.
Read more on the Broadband Ready program here.
As broadband continues to become more accessible and in-demand across Indiana, workforce needs are changing. As IBO plans to implement BEAD funding, the office is utilizing the Workforce Planning Guide provided through NTIA. This guide provides requirements, guidance and support for how and why those using BEAD funding should prepare their workforces. Specific information on the importance of building a skilled workforce can be found on pages 10 – 28. A highly skilled workforce will help to ensure job applicants have the skills and the training they need to be competitive in the telecommunications labor market while creating a strong talent pool for subgrantees when implementing BEAD funding.
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development has developed a survey for broadband providers to help us to understand their unique workforce needs. If you are a broadband provider, you can find the survey here.
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