(Washington, DC) - Congressman Baron Hill announced today that Indiana is one of only four states to be selected to receive the first round of broadband mapping grants through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA).  The Broadband Data and Development Grant Program is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). 

According to a release issued by the NTIA, the Indiana Office of Technology has been awarded approximately $1.3 million.  The grant funds will go toward programs that increase broadband access and adoption through better data collection and broadband planning.  The data will be displayed in NTIA’s national broadband map, a tool that will inform policymakers’ efforts and provide consumers with improved information on the broadband Internet services available to them. 

The State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program is a matching grant program that implements the joint purposes of the ARRA and the Broadband Data Improvement Act.  Awardees are required to contribute at least 20 percent non-federal matching funds toward project costs.

“This is great news for Indiana, particularly the rural areas of Southern Indiana,” Hill said.  “Access to broadband is a critical aspect of economic development, and is certainly beneficial for Hoosier families.”