Hello! As the Office of Rural and Community Affairs (OCRA) wraps up the year, we’ve had some exciting funding opportunities come through our offices with more yet to come.
This year, we launched the Indiana Connectivity Program. This program aims to connect residents and businesses that lack access to broadband internet service with service providers and assists in the expense of extending broadband to those locations. Individuals of residential and business locations in unserved or underserved areas can apply for consideration by entering their information into the Next Level Connections portal to initiate their interest in receiving broadband internet service. The 4th round of funding for this program will be announced In January 2023. You can keep up with IBO social media to see the announcement or check OCRA’s website.
We’ve also been able to roll out more funding for the Next Level Connections Program this past year! Starting in 2019, this year saw the announcement of Round 3 awards. Lt. Governor Crouch announced in April that $189 million would be used for 154 broadband infrastructure expansion projects throughout Indiana. What an exciting advancement for broadband in our state! Stay tuned on IBO’s social media or OCRA’s website for updates on future funding rounds for the Next Level Connections Program.
It’s been a wonderful year for OCRA and IBO. We’ve had an incredibly successful year and I can’t wait to see what 2023 will bring. Happy Holidays and have a very Happy New Year!
Denny Spinner
Office of Rural and Community Affairs Executive Director
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Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Broadband Office announced the City of South Bend as the state’s 75th Broadband Ready Community. At a press conference Wednesday, Dec. 14, representatives from IBO and the Indiana Office of Rural Affairs (OCRA) celebrated the accomplishment.
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 encouraged that communities across the state are taking the steps to become more connected and enhance their quality of life by becoming Broadband Certified,” Lt. Gov. Crouch said. “Congratulations to South Bend for prioritizing this initiative and working collaboratively to further spearhead your community’s broadband investment.”
The certification was approved by the Indiana Broadband Office following the City of South Bend's adoption of a Broadband Ready Community ordinance.
“Broadband is essential for our students, job seekers, businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Mayor James Mueller. “I thank Governor Holcomb’s administration and the Indiana Legislature for helping South Bend become a Broadband Ready Community. We look forward to continued collaboration with the state on digital infrastructure and equity programming.”
Earnie Holtrey, Deputy Director at the Indiana Broadband Office, said nearly 15 communities have become Broadband Ready Communities in 2022.
“It’s been another aggressive year with communities across the state becoming Broadband Ready,” said Holtrey. “With our 75th community now certified, South Bend has joined a running list of Hoosier cities, towns, counties and regions who are taking notice and investing in themselves. Congratulations!”
To learn more about the Broadband Ready Communities Program, click here.
The State of Indiana has been approved for both the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity (DE) program planning grants. Indiana will receive nearly $6 million in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds to create these two plans. Stay tuned to the IBO social media platforms for the official press releases in the next few weeks.
The BEAD state five-year plan will be due 270 days after the funds are available. For the DE plan, the state will have 365 years to complete the plan.
The IBO has partnered with the Purdue Center for Regional Development for the DE plan and has an offer pending to a consultant to assist on the BEAD plan.
For additional information on Indiana's Internet For All programs, click here.
Recently, the Indiana Association of County Commissioners held their annual conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Earnie Holtrey, Deputy Director of Indiana Broadband, was asked to take part in a panel discussion titled “Partnering is key in pursuing solutions to broadband access!”
Holtrey was joined by broadband stakeholders to discuss the importance of making sure community, city, town and county officials are working together to bring better broadband to the state of Indiana. Community officials play a crucial role for broadband advancements as policymakers, funders, data aggregators, conveners, and partners in pursuing sustainable solutions to broadband access, affordability and reliability. Other panelists included Bill Soards, President of Indiana AT&T; Cheryl Musgrave, Vanderburgh County Commissioner; and John Schellenberger, Floyd County Commissioner who served as moderator.
In November, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Broadband Office announced that the City of Gary 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.
“The many cities, counties and towns throughout the state that are collaborating on behalf of their citizens, never ceases to amaze me,” Crouch said. “It is communities like the one in the City of Gary that are trailblazing and making a difference within the connectivity space. Congratulations to leaders in the City of Gary who are taking steps to further broadband investment in the area.”
The certification was approved by the Indiana Broadband Office following the City of Gary's adoption of a Broadband Ready Community ordinance.
“We are excited to have the State of Indiana designate and certify Gary as a Broadband Ready Community. The City of Gary has worked diligently in providing online digital services in licensing and permitting,” said Jerome A. Prince, Mayor of Gary. “Just this past month Gary was awarded The Government Experience Project Award by the Center for Digital Government for our Gary Online service. This is another step in our progress of striving towards affordable broadband coverage for all the citizens of Gary.”
Earnie Holtrey, Deputy Director at the Indiana Broadband Office, extended the office’s accolades to leaders in the City of Gary.
“The City of Gary is highly distinguished for leading their community towards reliability and affordability by utilizing broadband connectivity. When communities, like this one, prioritize connectivity for their citizens, many benefit. Congratulations,” said Holtrey.
Via 2020 legislation, the Broadband Ready Community Program was transitioned from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). IBO began the day-to-day management of the Broadband Ready Community Program on July 1, 2020.
For more information, visit in.gov/indianabroadband.
The Federal Communications Commission is progressing in their goal of helping expand broadband access across Indiana and is requesting help from Hoosiers. Last month, the FCC released their pre-production broadband map and are looking for Hoosiers to fill in the gaps.
The FCC offers “challenges” which are disputes about the availability of broadband at specific locations. Challengers have until January 13th to submit their challenges.
The Purdue University Center for Regional Development urges Indiana residents and business owners to do their part and review the map. This article states how to complete this in three easy steps.
To view how to challenge, click here.
To view a timeline and learn more about the FCC Map, click here.
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