April Newsletter Updates
BEAD Program Update
The Indiana Broadband Office (IBO) has preliminarily awarded Round 1 subgrantees of the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, with over 90,000 locations, or about 70% of eligible locations covered.
The IBO preliminarily awarded 24 different providers with over 400 projects in Round 1.
These projects covered about 90,000 addresses with 100% fiber technology. They were efficient with Indiana’s BEAD funding, with an averagesubsidy cost per passing of around $3,700.
With these awards, the IBO has allocated just 40% of its total BEAD dollars, with 60% still available for the next round.
Next Steps
The IBO will be working with the providers to create project areas with the remaining eligible BEAD locations for Round 2.
Awards will be announced publicly later this year after we have received provisional approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
The IBO looks forward to the next round of applications in order to start getting these projects under contract and built out.
Digital Opportunity Updates
With the Digital Opportunity Subgrantee Application opening on April 30, 2025,the Digital Opportunity team has put together a guidance document and a FAQ document to help you submit your application.
The FAQs include information on how the applications will be evaluated, how funds will be distributed, and more. Find the FAQs document here.
The guidance document will be the best resource for you throughout this application process and includes more details about the Digital Opportunity grant itself. Find the guidance document here
Reminder:You must be registered to apply. Register for a Unique Entity ID (UEI) at SAM.gov now! This process is required for anyone receiving federal grant funding.
Coming Soon: The Digital Opportunity team will be hosting two public webinars in May and June for all entities interested in applying. Participation is highly recommended to ensure a thorough understanding of the application requirements.
Stay tuned for further communication and the links to the application and webinars. Visit the IBO’s Digital Opportunity page to get the most up-to-date information on the subgrantee process.
Staff Spotlight: William Hollis
I recently moved from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Indianapolis and I have been with the Broadband Office for almost three months. Before moving to Indianapolis, I worked in the medical industry for six years and the film industry for seven years.
My favorite part about working in the Broadband Office is the collaboration I have with my teammates. I’m also happy to work in an office where the work helps improve people’s day to day lives.
Outside of the office, I like to explore Indianapolis and check out any new spots I have not been to yet.
Indiana Connectivity Program/Next Level Connections
In the Next Level Connections program, the Round 3 final reporting and project closeout continues. All 49 projects have been accepted in Round 4, with both rounds reporting due April 30.
In the Indiana Connectivity Program, Round 13 awards have been announced. The 13th round awarded $1,660,949 to expand broadband to 371 addresses across 40 counties. Of these addresses, 353 are homes and 18 are businesses. Internet providers carrying out the projects matched $6,107,393 for a total investment of $7,768,342. Now the bidding phase for Round 14 has officially commenced.