PSCi receives $5 million matching grant for broadband expansion

Friday, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch presented representatives from Perry-Spencer Rural Telephone Cooperative with a $5 million matching grant. This project will serve 679 unserved locations in Dubois County. The requested grant amount is $5 million, with a local match of more than $2.81 million, for a total project cost of more than $7.81 million.

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 41 counties to provide broadband infrastructure to more than 21,900 homes and commercial locations.

“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.”

This second round of funding will provide broadband infrastructure to more than 10,590 homes and commercial locations across 32 counties. A map marking both rounds one and two is attached to this press release.

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.