Indiana Next Level Connections Broadband Program

NLC@ocra.in.gov

The Indiana Next Level Connections Broadband Program offers grants for broadband infrastructure to provide service to unserved end users, including households, businesses, and community anchor institutions in Indiana. Projects that include providing 1 gig connections to schools and/or rural health facilities will receive priority consideration.

Funding may be used for terrestrial capital expenses directly related to a qualified broadband project, including design, engineering, permitting, construction of "last mile" infrastructure expenses, and validation of service expenses.

Eligible applicants are Indiana broadband providers that have served at least 100 subscribers for 3 years or more. Applicants that do not meet these requirements must then meet one of the following:

• Be a corporation organized under IC 8-1-13
• Be a corporation organized under IC 23-17 that is an electric cooperative
• Be a cooperative that has at least one member that is a corporation organized under 8-1-13

Eligible locations are addresses in Indiana that lack broadband coverage (less than actual speeds of 25 Mbps downstream); areas that lack quality, reliable access to fixed terrestrial broadband; and areas with compelling need.

Up to $5,000,000.

All projects require a 20% match.

Links to additional guidance and application instructions are available on the program website.

Email a letter of intent to NLC@ocra.in.gov by November 11, 2023. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application, with a deadline of January 26, 2024.