Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Department of Management’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) announced a new broadband grant opportunity for internet service providers on June 19.
The Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program is funding $148,960,000 to incentivize broadband infrastructure build out in newly established Broadband Intervention Zones (BIZ).
The money comes from the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) which is administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
“Iowans deserve access to reliable, fast broadband,” Ms. Reynolds said in a statement. “Reliable internet connections are needed to live, work, and raise a family. This investment in infrastructure gets us one step closer to providing easy internet access to all Iowans. ”
96 BIZ zones were created across the state through feedback from 55 public meetings in Iowa communities. These areas have the most need for broadband infrastructure expansion.
This will be the eighth Notice of Funds Available for the State of Iowa. Through seven previous grant opportunities, $352,850,022 in state and federal funding was awarded to bring broadband service to 109,126 homes, schools and businesses in Iowa. The total new broadband investment between public and private money is $791,203,995.
For more information on the latest round of broadband grant funding, Iowans and providers can visit the OCIO website or email ociogrants@iowa.gov.
