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WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Indiana received its first “Internet for All” grants for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative. Indiana is receiving $5,802,586.60 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden, to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state.
"Closing the digital divide will expand economic and educational opportunities for all Hoosiers," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "I commend Governor Holcomb for his support of the Internet for All initiative."
“For far too long, Hoosiers in rural communities have endured unreliable connectivity at the expense of their personal lives and livelihoods,” said Rep. Jim Baird (IN-04). “This investment in developing high-speed internet will provide countless Hoosiers across Indiana with high-speed broadband services and bring us one step closer to bridging the digital divide that persists between urban and rural communities.”
“Thank you to all the leaders of the NTIA and the State of Indiana for taking this tangible action to promote broadband capabilities and digital equity for all individuals and families,” said Rep. Frank Mrvan (IN-01). “I was proud to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and am grateful for this initiative that will improve the abilities of our communities to thrive and achieve economic success.”
All 50 U.S. states and six territories applied for planning grant funding for the Internet for All initiative's Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity Act program. Grant awards for all 56 eligible entities will be announced on a rolling basis.
About Indiana’s Planning Grants
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program
The BEAD Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.
Indiana will receive $4,960,351.60 to fund various activities including:
- Development of a 5-year action plan that includes extensive local engagement and will ensure Internet access at speeds greater than 100 Mbps / 20 Mbps to every Hoosier;
- Creation of a state broadband map with all serviceable locations and their current broadband service status;
- Capacity building of the Indiana Broadband Office;
- Surveying unserved, underserved and underrepresented communities to better understand barriers to high-speed Internet service adoption.
Digital Equity
The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. The first part of NTIA’s execution of the Digital Equity Act is to fund digital equity planning efforts.
Indiana will receive $842,235.00 to fund various activities including:
- Development of a statewide digital equity plan to support closing the digital equity gap;
- Formation of a digital equity taskforce;
- Conducting public input and surveys to better understand digital equity issues in the state.
Internet for All
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed Internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.
Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov to learn more.
For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet service programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov.