Holcomb announces $400 million in broadband grants

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday mentioned the newest spherical of Subsequent Stage grants will join almost 53,000 houses and companies.

The governor’s feedback got here throughout an occasion with the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce. He mentioned good web connections are as necessary as roads and bridges if Indiana desires to stay economically aggressive. Holcomb mentioned the state is specializing in high-tech jobs similar to life sciences and chip manufacturing when it decides which employers to recruit.

The most recent spherical of Subsequent Stage broadband grants whole $429 million. Of that whole, the governor’s workplace mentioned $189 million comes from the state and the remainder comes from matches by telecom corporations. The grants will go towards customers in 80 counties, together with 5 of the counties bordering Marion County.

Holcomb mentioned this system nonetheless prioritizes customers who haven’t any broadband connection in any respect. As that quantity dwindles, he mentioned this system will shift to bettering present service.

“It’s obtained to do with entry. It’s obtained to do with affordability. It’s obtained to do with pace,” he mentioned. “We don’t wish to overbuild however we do wish to ensure people who lack pace, whether or not or not it’s within the subject or doing homework, have the flexibility to do this.”