Statewide — On Thursday, Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced $51 million for 50 broadband infrastructure expansion projects across the state as a part of the second round of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program.
The $100 million Next Level Broadband Grant Program is the largest single-state investment in broadband. In total, rounds one and two of the program have awarded more than $79 million for broadband infrastructure for more than 21,900 homes and commercial locations in 41 counties. This second round of funding will provide broadband infrastructure to more than 10,590 homes and commercial locations across 32 counties.
In addition to the $51 million awarded today, the 16 telecommunications providers and utility cooperatives contributed more than $53 million in matching funds, resulting in more than $104 million total investment for broadband.
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.
Over 13.42 million will be invested in southeastern Indiana. The following applicants will provide broadband service in unserved areas throughout Southeastern Indiana in the second round:
- Jackson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation (Jennings County)
This project will serve 163 locations in three Jennings County Townships: North Vernon, Seymour, and Scipio. The requested grant amount is $239,309, with a local match of $358,964, for a total project cost of $598,273. - Jackson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation (Jennings County)
This project will serve 118 locations in North Vernon Township in Jennings County. The requested grant amount is $192,273, with a local match of $288,407, for a total project cost of $480,680. - 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.
