Des Moines, Iowa — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Office of the Chief Information Officer have announced the latest recipients of the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grants Program, and that includes several projects in northwest Iowa.
Funding of more than $210 million for new broadband infrastructure has been awarded to 160 applicants as part of the latest investment in expanding broadband across the state, announced in October 2021.
Reynolds says, “Our commitment to high-speed, reliable broadband for all Iowans continues to make great progress. We’ve received an overwhelming number of applications and funding requests, which highlights the considerable need to expand broadband to all corners of the state. Our investments will help bridge the gap and provide thousands more Iowans the necessary connectivity needed in their homes and communities.”
Projects awarded under this grant opportunity will bring more than $526 million of new broadband infrastructure investment to Iowa, serving over 39,000 homes, schools, and businesses. State officials tell us that to date, the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program has awarded grant funding that will result in over $880 million in new broadband investment, reaching approximately 115,000 homes, schools, and businesses upon the completion of grant-funded projects.
In our area, Evertek of Everly received most of the grants and is going to use them for fiber optic projects, including over $875,000 for a rural May City area project, nearly $975,000 for a rural Melvin project, over $1.9 million for a rural Hartley Project, nearly $1.4 million for a rural Primghar project, and over $2.3 million for a rural Paullina project. Also in our coverage area, Heartland Telecommunications Company of Iowa — which is now doing business as Premier Communications of Sioux Center — received over $190,000 toward an Inspiration Hills project.
Many projects in nearby counties received funding as well, including projects in Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Plymouth, and Sac counties.
Find the full list of grants here.
