Gov. Holcomb Announced More Than $51M For Broadband Expansion

Local applicants will provide broadband service in unserved areas in the second round of funding.

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(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has announced more than $51 million for 50 broadband infrastructure expansion projects across the state.

The expansion is part of the second round of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program.

This round of funding will provide broadband infrastructure to more than 10,590 homes and commercial locations across 31 counties.

Locally, the following applicants will provide broadband service in unserved areas in the second round of funding:

SEI Communications

Dearborn County

This project will serve five households, one business and three anchor institutions in Dearborn County. The requested grant amount is $439,560, with a local match of $226,440, for a total project cost of $666,000.

SEI Communications

Dearborn, Franklin, and Ripley Counties

In partnership with Southeastern Indiana Rural Electric Membership Corporation, this project will serve 447 households, 58 businesses, and 55 anchor institutions in Ripley, Franklin and Dearborn Counties. The requested grant amount is more than $3.21 million, with a local match of more than $4.83 million, for a total project cost of more than $8.04 million.

SEI Communications

Dearborn, Jefferson, Jennings, and Ripley Counties

In partnership with Southeastern Indiana REMC, this project will provide service to 2,263 households, 199 business and 24 anchor institutions in Ripley, Jennings, and a small portion of Jefferson Counties. The requested grant amount is $5 million, with a local match of more than $8.4 million, for a total project cost of more than $13.4 million.

SEI Communications

Dearborn, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, and Switzerland Counties

In partnership with Southeastern Indiana REMC, this project will serve 522 households, 27 businesses and eight anchor institutions in Switzerland, Jennings, and small portions of Jefferson, Ohio, and Dearborn Counties. The requested grant amount is more than $4.34 million, with a local match of more than $6.51 million, for a total project cost of more than $10.85 million.

“Lt. Governor Crouch and I have been dedicated to improving internet access for years, and now COVID has only made the need for affordable, dependable broadband more apparent,” Gov. Holcomb said. “This latest round of grants will give more Hoosiers access to more affordable, quality internet regardless of where they live, work or go to school.”

The $100 million program is the largest single state investment in broadband. In total, the first two rounds of the program have awarded more than $79 million for broadband expansion in more than 21,900 homes and commercial locations in 41 counties.

The program allows broadband service providers and utility cooperatives to apply for up to $5 million to expand service to unserved areas if they provide at least a 20 percent match. Unserved areas are those without at least one telecommunication provider offering at least 10 mbps download and 1 mbps upload. Proposed projects must provide a minimum level of service at actual speeds of 25 mbps download and 3 mbps upload.

For more information, visit https://www.in.gov/ocra/3018.htm