State grants help expand internet access to more Starke County residents, businesses

STATEHOUSE (April 26, 2022) – Fast and reliable internet is coming to more homes and businesses in Starke County thanks to more than $10 million in state broadband grants, according to State Reps. Doug Gutwein (R-Francesville) and Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie).

Indiana recently awarded a total of $189 million for 154 broadband projects around the state as part of the third round of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program. In total, more than 52,900 homes and businesses across 80 counties will benefit from the program supported and funded by the state legislature.

"Having the ability to connect to the internet is no longer a luxury, but a necessity," Gutwein said. "We must continue to ensure broadband access is available to more Hoosiers, especially in our rural communities. I believe all these upcoming projects move us toward that goal."

Pressel said in addition to the $189 million awarded, 35 telecommunications providers and utility cooperatives contributed more than $239 million in matching funds, resulting in more than $429 million being invested.

"We are committed to ensuring communities in our area have dependable internet and underserved Hoosiers and businesses can stay connected," Pressel said. "Hoosiers rely on having strong internet access for education, health services and work, and investing these funds into expanding and improving our broadband is a much-needed step in the right direction."

Eight upcoming projects will help expand broadband in Starke County:

• Comcast: This project will expand broadband access to 923 households and 429 businesses or organizations across Marshall and Starke counties. The requested grant amount is $918,283, with a local match of $4,373,712, for a total project cost of $5,291,995.
  
  
• Jasper County REMC: This project will expand broadband access to 753 households and 137 businesses or organizations across Jasper, Pulaski and Starke counties. The requested grant amount is $2,530,943, with a local match of $3,796,414, for a total project cost of $6,327,358.
  
  
• Marshall County Fiber: This project will expand broadband access to 161 households and 86 businesses or organizations across Fulton, Marshall, Pulaski and Starke counties. The requested grant amount is $138,033, with a local match of $638,912, for a total project cost of $776,945.
  
  
• Marshall County Fiber: This project will expand broadband access to 608 households and 147 businesses or organizations across Marshall and Starke counties. The requested grant amount is $613,188, with a local match of $1,323,712, for a total project cost of $1,936,901.
  
  
• Mediacom Communications: This project will expand broadband access to eight households across Starke County. The requested grant amount is $63,067, with a local match of $25,760, for a total project cost of $88,828.
  
  
• Mediacom Communications: This project will expand broadband access to 15 households across Starke County. The requested grant amount is $153,253, with a local match of $48,395, for a total project cost of $201,649.
  
  
• Mercury Wireless: This project will expand broadband access to 287 households and 13 businesses or organizations across Jasper, LaPorte, Pulaski and Starke counties. The requested grant amount is $1,192,216, with a local match of $596,108, for a total project cost of $1,788,324.
  
  
• Surf Broadband Solutions: This project will expand broadband access to 953 households across LaPorte, St. Joseph and Starke counties. The requested grant amount is $4,467,648, with a local match of $2,007,203, for a total project cost of $6,474,851.

The Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program provides funding of up to $5 million per project to expand broadband service to unserved areas. To be eligible for funding, applicants must also contribute at least a 20% match.

For more information about the projects and grants, visit in.gov/ocra.

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State Rep. Douglas Gutwein (R-Francesville) represents House District 16, which
includes all of Pulaski County and portions of Fulton, Jasper, Newton and Starke counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) represents House District 20,
which includes portions of LaPorte and Starke counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.