Governor Eric Holcomb announced Monday that $189 million has been awarded through the third round in the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program for 154 broadband infrastructure expansion projects across the state.
The 35 telecommunications providers and utility cooperatives contributed more than $239 million in matching funds, resulting in more than $429 million in total investments for broadband in the third round.
Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, along with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), administers and oversees the program. OCRA will be working with service providers in the coming weeks on next steps in the grant process.
The Next Level Broadband Grant Program is the largest single state investment in broadband. In total, rounds one, two and three of the program have awarded $268 million for broadband infrastructure for more than 74,800 homes and commercial locations. When combined with private and local investment, over $580 million has been leveraged since 2018.
This third round of funding will provide broadband infrastructure to more than 52,900 homes and commercial locations in 80 counties. Locally, Starke County, Pulaski County, La Porte County, and Marshall County will benefit with specific projects proposed by Comcast, Jasper County REMC, Marshall County Fiber, Mediacom Communications, Mercury Wireless, RTC Communications, and Surf Broadband.
