Ind. receives broadband map grant

The Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced its first four grant recipients for State Broadband Data and Development Program last week.

The grants will be used by any state that qualifies to create NTIA’s national broadband map. The map will provide exact information about the broadband services in their area.

According to Brian Arrowood, deputy chief information officer at the Indiana Office of Technology, the four recipients so far are Indiana, California, North Carolina and Vermont.

All 50 states and four territories applied for the grant. Indiana was one of the first states approved.

Katie Moreau, press representative for Rep. Baron Hill, said she knew the program was responsible for developing area where broadband was still unavailable.

“Indiana was chosen because of its higher priority,” Moreau said.

Arrowood said that Indiana is way ahead of the curve than other states when it comes to broadband mapping and service connectivity.

Arrowood also said that because of the close connections IOT has with counties and geographic information systems around the state, the amount of data collection and mapping already completed in Indiana is enormous.

“Each state needed to designate one entity in the area for mapping broadband. The Indiana governor chose us to be responsible for this because of our qualification,” Arrowood said.

Arrowood also said that the state proposal was a fiscally sound and responsible request, making Indiana a prior recipient of the grant.

The $1.3 million grant that Indiana received will not only serve to map broadband connection. Arrowood said the better map will be the first step and will explain how much is needed to improve the broadband service especially in rural areas.

“The spirit behind the program is to get better and new connectivity to all Indiana counties,” Arrowood said.

Lawrence E. Strickling, assistant secretary for communications and information and NTIA administrator said in a press release that broadband will bring many benefits to the nation, such as job creation and innovation, but these benefits have been delayed by the lack of comprehensive, reliable data on the availability of broadband service.

Strickling also said that this program will address an important need and will provide a valuable tool in bringing broadband and jobs to more Americans.

According to Arrowood, the program has a requirement that each state provide at least 20 percent of non-federal matching funds toward the project. However,  Arrowood said in Indiana this is not a problem.

“Indiana is way ahead of other states in broadband mapping and technology,”

Arrowood said. “The grant will be used mainly for secondary improvements, unlike many states that still have a lot of preliminaries to take care of.”