Indiana’s plan to spend $868M on high-speed internet for all Hoosiers approved
WASHINGTON (WNDU) - Indiana is known as a red state in more ways than one.
On Monday, Indiana’s plan to get some of the red out was approved by a federal government that also stands ready to fund it.
The last generation brought water and electricity to our homes. At a virtual news conference, Asst. Secretary for Commerce and Information Alan Davidson said, “This is our generation’s big infrastructure moment.”
The federal government stands ready to provide $868 million to Indiana to bring high speed internet to all Hoosiers.
Officials referred to a map where red dots indicated where people are now unserved or underserved when it comes to broadband.
Davidson announced that Indiana’s initial “Internet for All” plan has been approved and that the federal dollars from the bipartisan Infrastructure Act should begin flowing by the end of the year.
“This is really our chance to connect everyone in America with the tools they need to thrive in the modern digital economy,” Davidson said. “And I really believe we’re going to look back 10 years from now, or 20 years from now and say, ‘This was the moment we stepped up and connected everybody in Indiana, everybody in America, with the tools to thrive in this digital economy.’”
Bringing high speed internet to all in Indiana is expected to take three to four years to complete.
“The flow, the funding flow will begin, yet this year, and that immediately will have a positive effect,” remarked Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb. “When communities know that the funding isn’t in question, they can start to begin to sell their connectivity in the world. Individuals will know that it is coming. Know that the money is there, so the flow of the dough will be hitting go yet this year.”
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