Gov. Holcomb Announces Third Round Of Next Level Connection Broadband Grant Program

Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 3:54 PM

By Brianna Simpson

$270 million available for local communities to increase broadband coverage

Shutterstock photo.

(INDIANAPOLIS) - The third round of Indiana’s Next Level Connection Broadband Grant Program is open for applications.

The first two rounds of the grant awarded $78.95 million to 63 projects in 44 counties.

The third round of the program will provide a maximum of $5 million per grant to fund projects by telecommunications providers and utility cooperatives. A 20 percent match for the project must be made by the providers.

“This latest round of grant funding builds on the historic investments Lt. Governor Crouch and I have made in our effort to foster connections for Hoosiers across the state,” Gov. Holcomb said. “I encourage partners in counties that have yet to participate to consider applying for this nation-leading initiative.”

The grant program aims to close the gap in the digital divide by bringing high-quality, reliable broadband to unserved and underserved parts of Indiana.

The program is overseen by Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

Applications and more information can be found at ocra.in.gov/nlc. Letters of intent must be submitted by 3 p.m. ET on Sept. 24, 2021.

For questions on grant applications, contact nlc@ocra.in.gov.