Indiana Democratic Party
04/26/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/26/2022 05:13
INGOP Commissioner: American Rescue Plan’s Broadband Dollars a “Big, Big Winner” for Hoosier Families in Bartholomew County
The Republic: The $4 million comes from the county's share of COVID-19 relief funds administered by the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today celebrated how President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan is once again delivering for the Hoosier State. This time, it was announced the Rescue Plan would invest about $4 million to expand broadband access for families - making Bartholomew County a "big, big winner " according to Republican (and County Commissioner) Tony London. Indiana Democrats, like U.S. Congressman Andre Carson and Frank Mrvan, secured this funding for Bartholomew County with their support of American Rescue Plan and its $250 million broadband investment for the state.
Greg Pence and the Indiana GOP opposed this historic investment, proving once again they have no plan for Indiana's future - just partisanship.
While Republicans like Tony London acknowledge the American Rescue Plan's investments to Bartholomew County, politicians like U.S. Congresswoman Greg Pence voted "NO". In fact, Pence has been caught touting the Rescue Plan's accomplishments like the Restaurant Revitalization Fund - even after opposing the law itself. What's worse - Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer called these broadband investments "socialism" - claiming this opposition was a "great campaign to run on". Democrats will highlight how the Indiana GOP has no plan for Indiana's future - just a divisive partisan agenda. Here's a look at how the American Rescue Plan continues to deliver for the Hoosier State.
Bartholomew County is a big, big winner.
Those are the exact words used by county Commissioner Tony London after he learned how much money will be received locally in Round Three of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program.
Also serving as chairman of the Bartholomew County Broadband Initiative Committee, London said slightly over a million dollars in state funds was awarded locally during Round One of the state program, while nothing was provided for Columbus and surrounding areas during Round Two.
"But in Round Three, it looks like Bartholomew County could be the recipient of nearly $6 million of Next Level grants," London said.
Most of this money will be used to provide high-speed internet service to southwest portions of the county, which London described as seriously underserved. […]
These state grants are above the $4 million in federal money set aside by the county to reach extremely remote homes, London said. The $4 million comes from the county's share of COVID-19 relief funds administered by the American Rescue Plan (ARP). […]
The Next Level Broadband Grant Program is the largest single state investment in broadband. In total, rounds one, two and three of the program have awarded $268 million for broadband infrastructure for more than 74,800 homes and commercial locations.
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