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How is it already September? Hey, you know what they say, time flies when you’re having fun, and since starting here at the Indiana Broadband Office (IBO) it has been nothing short of one of the best times of my life, personally and professionally. I have encountered so many Hoosier communities that are positively impacting broadband accessibility daily.
IBO has contracted an Indiana consulting firm, Delineate, to provide project management, data analytics and outreach for our Internet Protocol (IP). IBO has a big announcement of our ever-changing team. IBO is in the process of officially hiring and onboarding four new broadband trailblazers, one specializing in all things communication to reflect our guiding mission: to make broadband accessible.
Regarding the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Five-Year Plan, IBO has submitted the plan to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to show how the state of Indiana can best incorporate digital equity into broadband planning. Now, IBO is transitioning its work to the the Initial Proposal (IP). With optimism to be completed before the wintertime, IBO is prepared to submit the IP before the deadline of December 27.
Keep reading and following along, as these updates are just scratching the surface of IBO change and growth.
Steve Cox
Infrastructure and Broadband Administrator
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IBO has contracted an Indiana consulting firm, Delineate, to provide project management, data analytics and outreach for our Internet Proposal (IP). Delineate will engage with our State team from the Management Performance Hub and the Indiana Office of Technology to build out the IP, perform public commenting and assist with the challenge process. We are excited to collaborate with Delineate.
The Delineate team brings a wealth of experience and energy to projects across a broad range of industries, specifically at the state government level. Delineate has received some of the highest awards available in government, proving a track record of quickly understanding complex problems, generating insights and driving action in the unique world of the public sector.
To learn more, click here.
September 1 was the official cutoff to submit bids for Indiana Connectivity Program Round 7 and resident registrations for ICP Round 8. Throughout September, we will see the broadband team scoring the bids for ICP7, conducting the address challenge phase for ICP8 and beginning the next bid period towards the end of the month. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs states 460 addresses have been submitted for review so far for the ICP8 challenge phase as well as 143 provider-submitted bids for ICP7. Selections for ICP7 are expected to be announced later this month.
Learn more about the ICP here.
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, the Indiana Broadband Office (IBO) and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) announce White County as the newest Broadband Ready Community.
“Congratulations to White County leadership for investing in broadband and connectivity for your residents and Hoosiers,” says Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Each broadband ready community designation, like White County’s, brings Indiana one step closer to our broadband connectivity mission.”
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 the IBO and OCRA following White County’s adoption of Broadband Ready Community ordinances.
“We are excited to have the State of Indiana designation, we hope it shows providers that White County will work with them to help build our broadband infrastructure that’s essential for our business, entrepreneurs, remote workers, and schools," says White County Commissioner Steve Burton.
To read more, click here.
You are likely eligible if your household’s income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, or if you or someone you live with currently receives a government benefit like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, WIC, Pell Grant or Free and Reduced-Price Lunch.
In addition, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society created the ACP Performance Tool to help any community answer the question, "How are Affordable Connectivity Program sign-ups going?” The tool helps communities understand the ACP structure and determine how to target digital inclusion grants in cities throughout the state. The ACP Performance Tool can tell decision-makers, by zip code, where ACP enrollment meets expectations and where it is falling short.
Learn more about the ACP and determine your household’s eligibility here.
Purdue University is happy to announce that we completed seven regional solutions sessions throughout July and August. Of these, six were face-to-face and one was virtual. More than 120 participants discussed digital barriers and provided very creative solutions. Also, our digital ambassadors were recognized. Thank you to each of you for your dedication to our mission!
The next step is to incorporate this valuable feedback into the vision, goals, strategies and objectives. These will be reviewed by the task force and will be available for public comment in October. So, stay tuned!
Learn more about digital equity here.
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Did you know IBO has been undergoing a website refresh?
This long overdue project is a necessity for IBO as well as the communities and leaders that we interact with. IBO has been seeking a website that can accurately reflect our mission; to assist residents in need of affordable and reliable broadband connectivity. This mission of reaching Hoosiers where they live, work and play is accomplished by communicating with stakeholders, providing resources to a diverse audience and leveraging established relationships with elected officials, associations and providers.
Subsequently, IBO has been seeking our vision; to become the one-stop-shop for all things broadband and to strive towards affordable broadband coverage to all Hoosiers.
We can proudly announce the website is now parallel to the broadband accessibility and connectivity work our team provides across the state of Indiana.
Visit the Indiana Broadband website.
Attendees were able to discuss their progress on these materials, exchange ideas, and share best practices with other states and territories. They also had a chance to meet with NTIA staff and representatives from the FCC, USDA, and Treasury to learn more about several key topics, including permitting, grants administration, the BEAD challenge process and subgrantee selection, workforce development, tribal relations, and meeting the needs of the Digital Equity Program’s covered populations.
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IBO’s Deputy Director, Earnie Holtrey, is departing the team. The IBO office would like to thank Earnie for all the diligent work he has done to elevate the program and provide growth for current and prospective Broadband Ready Communities over the past three years. Earnie has been with the Indiana Broadband Office since the very beginning and continues to be dedicated to our mission.
You have always been pivotal in joining conversations on broadband accessibility, ensuring Indiana is leading the dialogue. Thank you for all you have done for the State of Indiana, Earnie. You will be missed!
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As we progress into heavy planning and public engagement this fall, spreading the word on connectivity will be of the utmost importance for Hoosiers. 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 encourage you to forward this newsletter or let someone know how they can sign up for monthly updates from IBO.
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