LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Biden-Harris administration has approved Indiana's initial proposal for their “Internet for All” program.
More than $800 million was greenlit by the White House to go to the Hoosier state.
The BEAD ( Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) funding is part of a federal program approved in President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill.
The budget will help pay internet service providers to expand services and train the workforce to establish internet in rural areas.
Officials with the federal government joined Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday to announce the approval.
“Since day one, our goal has always been to provide all Hoosiers with reliable and affordable broadband coverage,” Holcomb said. “In today’s digitally dependent world, broadband connectivity can be a lifeline for residents and better connect communities to the wider world of commerce and communication. The BEAD, in conjunction with our state and local programming, will continue provide those needed connections to our still underserved areas.”
Gov. Holcomb and his administration hope the money will incentivize more internet providers to step up and connect their services in more rural areas.
Indiana could get reimbursed using this new money.
The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program that aims to close the digital divide and to connect everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service.
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