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OCRA > High Speed Communications High Speed Communications

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) understands that access to high-speed communications is an essential economic tool for people in all communities.  To help bridge the gaps that exist between urban and rural broadband availability, OCRA partners with other state and federal agencies to facilitate deployment.

If you have any questions on OCRA’s high speed communications initiatives please contact, Geoff Schomacker at 317.232.8909 or gschomacker@ocra.in.gov.

Bring IT Home Indiana Program

The Bring IT Home Indiana Community Digital Inclusion Grant is available to rural communities who are interested in creating programs in their community using technology for the purpose of enhancing education, engaging youth, developing the local workforce, and supporting entrepreneurism.  This grant program provides financial resources for a variety of initiatives by leveraging the resources and experience of the global not-for-profit One Economy Corporation. 

Grant Application

Connecting Rural Indiana 2008: Policy, Programs, and Progress

Lt. Governor Skillman and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) hosted a statewide broadband conference, Connecting Rural Indiana 2008: Policy, Programs, and Progress, on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Indianapolis.                 

Conference Presentations:  

The Greene County, North Carolina Story - Transforming Communities and Lives through Broadband
Misty Chase, Director of the Beyond Tobacco Program
Greene County, North Carolina

State of Indiana Broadband Deployment
Ron Keen, Director of Telecommunications
Indiana Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor

Additional resources for high speed communications

Indiana Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor
Web site:  http://www.in.gov/oucc
Broadband provider tool: http://www.in.gov/ai/appfiles/oucc_provider
Email: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov
Phone:1.888.441.2494 Toll Free or 317. 232.2494 Voice/TDD

USDA RUS Telecom Programs
Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/index.htm
Contact: Allen DeForest
Email: Allen.deforest@wdc.usda.gov
Phone: 812.825.3727 or 812.320.3812 (cell)
 
Federal Communications Commission and USDA Joint Federal Wireless Outreach Initiative
Web site: http://wireless.fcc.gov/outreach/index.htm?job=home

Federal Communications Commission Rural Health Care Pilot Program
Web site: http://www.usac.org/rhc/

Indiana Telehealth Network led by the Indiana Rural Health Care Association 
Web site: http://www.indianaruralhealth.org/

Universal Service (assistance for telecommunications for high cost areas, schools, libraries, health care, and low-income households)
Web site: http://www.usac.org/

Other links of interest
An Interim Report on the Economic Impact of Telecommunications Reform in Indiana
Web site: http://www.bsu.edu/digitalpolicy/media/pdf/2008ExecutiveSummary.pdf
Full Report: http://www.bsu.edu/digitalpolicy/media/pdf/V2_DPI_Final_Master.pdf