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Summer is flying by, as quickly as broadband access expansions across the state. From receiving continuous speed test updates to traveling around the clock to meet the Hoosiers we serve; Indiana is keeping the Indiana Broadband Office (IBO) busy.
My colleague, the Infrastructure and Broadband Administrator, Steve Cox, and I have been visiting many of our Internet Service Partners (ISPs) across the state.
IBO, in partnership with Guidehouse, has successfully wrapped up the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) stakeholder events, as a part of the Community Broadband Visioning Sessions. The two final sessions in July, virtual and in-person in Marion County, allowed residents to connect with state leaders and address barriers to broadband deployment and unique community challenges as part of the Five-Year Action Plan. With the success of the BEAD sessions, the highly anticipated Diversity Equity (DE) solutions sessions are set to begin soon. That being said, the 5-year plan is due this August, so IBO is working diligently to complete that as well as the BEAD Initial Proposal which is due in late December.
IBO is looking to expand and will be hiring! Our office is working closely with the State Personnel Department, so, broadband champions, stay tuned for job postings.
We have so much to look forward to in terms of broadband expansion, with fall quickly approaching and students heading back to school!
Earnie Holtrey
Deputy Director of the Indiana Broadband Office
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“I am inspired by the commitment Jennings County as well as the City of North Vernon and the Town of Vernon are making towards broadband readiness,” says Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Local leaders in these three communities are investing and prioritizing in their residents and businesses now and for the future. Congratulations to you all!”
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 certification was approved by IBO and OCRA following Jennings County, the Town of Vernon and the Town of North Vernon’s each individual adoption of Broadband Ready Community ordinances.
“We truly understand the value of broadband for a community. Our goal is to let broadband providers know that our communities welcome more investment to increase access and affordability of high-speed internet. Broadband will give rural citizens access to important updates from government agencies and emergency notifications in our area. This information will be done in real-time using a broadband network," says leadership from each community in a joint comment. (Jennings County Commissioners Matt Sporleder, Robert Willhite and Shane Boswell. Mayor Wayne Zemora of Vernon and Mayor Mike Ochs of North Vernon)
To read more, click here.
On June 27, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced Indiana will receive $868.1 million in Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding. This program builds high-speed internet infrastructure where needed, supports job training, provides the equipment needed and drives partnerships to get everyone in the state of Indiana online. It funds infrastructure, planning and adoption.
This funding is part of a $42.45 billion nationwide federal effort to increase broadband connectivity throughout our nation. The Indiana Broadband Office is proud to be among the leaders spearheading this initiative as a part of the BEAD program. Thank you to Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the OCRA for their support.
To learn more, click here.
Holtrey traveled out to Goshen, Ind. to witness Surf Internet’s first official installation using Next Level Connection (NLC) Round3 for a rural customer, the Bontrager family of Elkhart County. None of this would be possible without the dedication and help from OCRA and NLC. Holtrey was joined by Surf’s Director of Business Development and Community Relations, Scott Franko, and CEO, Gene Crusie, to witness the momentous occasion.
Construction is being completed under the NLC grant in Elkhart County and has begun for the NLC grant areas identified in LaPorte and Newton Counties, so stay tuned!
The BEAD 5-Year Action Plan is in the home stretch of the drafting phase. Community Visioning Sessions in Cass, Warren, Pulaski, Lake, Brown, Elkhart and Marion Counties, as well as a virtual option, were completed. For more information on these sessions, click here. The feedback from these meetings has been captured and provides critical insight into the local community’s experiences with broadband.
At this point, an initial 5-Year Action Plan draft is under review by the State. The final plan will be updated with information from the final listening session along with data gathered from the Digital Equity Solution Sessions. Although there are still a few items to be included, a majority of the content is present. This internal review will ensure that information pertinent to other state agencies is documented accurately, and that the vision of broadband for the State aligns with other State missions and goals.
Once completed, the 5-Year Action Plan will be available on the IBO website.
In May, the Digital Equity Task Force met in person to finalize the three overarching goals and vision for Indiana’s Digital Equity Plan.
Indiana residents trust & use innovative connectivity for improved quality of life, resulting in inclusive, resilient, & impactful communities ensuring opportunities for all.
Goal 1: Provide all Hoosiers with universal connectivity that is affordable, accessible, reliable, equitable, and available in public and private spaces to ensure maximum adoption.
Goal 2: Ensure all Hoosiers have access to affordable devices needed to live, work, and thrive along with the education to utilize that technology safely and successfully.
Goal 3: Build digitally resilient and equitable communities by supporting new and existing ecosystems for Hoosier prosperity.
Additionally, the Task Force has been busy nominating Digital Equity Ambassadors and recruiting participants for the six upcoming Digital Equity Solutions Sessions.
The first of those Sessions was held on July 11, in Delphi, Indiana, with more than 40 participants who discussed in small breakout groups the barriers they face and the solutions they envision to bridge the digital divide in Indiana.
Please join us for any of the remaining Sessions to weigh in on what the plan should include and how you think it can best offer digital access to all Hoosiers.
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On July 6, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and OCRA announced the $898,075 award for the sixth round of Indiana Connectivity Program. This funding will expand to 216 addresses in 23 counties across Indiana. With the match from internet services providers, the total award equals more than $3 million.
On July 12, OCRA and Gov. Eric J. Holcomb announced the fourth and final round of the NLC program. This round will provide a maximum of $5 million per grant to fund projects by internet providers, providing a minimum 20 percent match of project costs. In round four, local governments will inform the State of unserved or underserved areas in their communities.
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The IBO created a website to help Hoosiers use their voice when it comes to their unreliable or absent broadband connectivity. This website allows users to test internet speed and answer questions regarding their connectivity.
Visit connectingindiana.com to get started. If you or someone you know is without internet service, text ‘Internet’ to 463-946-4699.
Cox and Holtrey accompanied Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch to the WCI Family Farms in Linden, Ind. to receive critical updates from the Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN) as well as learn about Solinftec MetaLINK Technologies and Tarana Wireless, Inc.. WHIN focuses on industry digitalization, the adoption of digital technology, in a ten county region.
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This three-day convention held in June brought together leaders in Indiana to discuss all-things broadband, like the BEAD program, Next Level Connections, partnerships and more.
Learn more about IBTA, an association whose members supply goods and services to broadband and technology companies.
Calling all social media users! Connecting with the Indiana Broadband Office is now easier, as our office is now active on five social media platforms.
Interact with the IBO and stay up to date on IBO news. Plus, you can find updates directly from our Deputy Director, Earnie Holtrey.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube
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We want to hear from you and ensure that Hoosiers stay connected through updates, alerts, and news from our office! Please send broadband-related news regarding your community or organization to the Indiana Broadband Office at inbroadband@sba.in.gov, and we'll share on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or in this newsletter! We also encourage you to forward this newsletter or let someone know how they can sign up for monthly updates from IBO.
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