Gov. Eric J. Holcomb announced on Wednesday that the third round of Indiana’s Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program is open for applications. According to a release, the grant program seeks to bridge the digital divide by bringing high-quality, reliable broadband to unserved and underserved parts of the state.
The Next Level Connections initiative is a $1 billion statewide infrastructure program announced in 2018. The first two rounds of funding awarded $78.95 million to 63 projects for a total investment of $155.12 million, including matching funds. The planned projects will bring broadband infrastructure to more than 22,401 homes, commercial locations, schools, universities, hospitals, and more across 44 counties. The latest round offers up to $5 million in funding, and providers must match a minimum of 20 percent of the total allowable project costs.
“Our Next Level Connections Broadband program has already helped get this critical 21st century infrastructure to unserved Hoosiers, but we know more work is still needed,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. In addition, Gov. Holcomb signed HEA 1001 earlier in 2021, dedicating another $250 million to the program.
Applications and more information can be found at: ocra.in.gov/nlc. Letters of intent must be submitted by 3 p.m. ET on September 24, 2021. For questions on grant applications, contact [email protected].
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