Millions announced for broadband expansion across Indiana

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – Final week, Governor Eric Holcomb introduced $189 million for 154 broadband infrastructure growth tasks.

These tasks span throughout the state from the third spherical of the “Subsequent Stage Connections Broadband Grant Program.”

Officers say this third spherical of funding will present broadband infrastructure to greater than 52,900 properties and industrial areas in 80 counties throughout the state.

We spoke with Elizabeth James, State Authorities Affairs with Constitution Spectrum, and talked about what the impacts may appear like in our space.

James tells us Constitution Spectrum received 26 state grants out of 28 utilized for, and 5 of them are within the Tri-State space, together with Warrick, Posey, Gibson, Spencer and Pike.

Constitution additionally acquired $59 million on the federal degree. Officers say these mixed awards will be game-changers for elements of these counties.

Whereas they nonetheless need to formally settle for the awards and are within the means of vetting and going by the logistics with the state, officers say this can begin to bridge the hole between the folks which are essentially the most tough to achieve in our rural areas.

“Rural broadband is much more vital, I might say as a result of these are the oldsters who’re traditionally the toughest to achieve,” stated James. “So, Constitution has participated within the state’s program as a result of it actually seeks to get at these people who’re the toughest to achieve as a result of they’re the ruralist. There’s a cause why they haven’t been traditionally served.”

James says each the state and federal awards that had been granted, had been awarded on offering fiber to the affected areas.

So all the infrastructures shall be fully fiber, which leaders say is a really thrilling a part of all this.

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