The Iowa Department of Management’s Division of Information Technology (DOM DoIT) is seeking the public’s input on Iowa’s upcoming broadband map. The DOM DoIT is required to update its broadband map every year. This year’s updates will be referenced as part of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD)….
Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN) is hosting a webinar about the upcoming round of grants from the federal Digital Equity Act following the recent announcement that digital equity plans for all 50 states have been approved. The grants will first be available through states and later directly through the National Telecommunications…
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced that Iowa can apply to receive more than $8.4 million to help provide the tools, skills and opportunities needed for individuals to benefit from internet access. The funds are a part of more than $800 million NTIA has…
The U.S. Department of Energy announced Monday that a project led by Iowa State University researchers and Montezuma Municipal Light & Power has been selected for award negotiations with the goal of building the first “microgrid” in a rural Iowa community. A microgrid is a small-scale electricity network that can operate…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a $3,987,550 investment in a Linn County communications company to expand reliable, affordable high-speed internet. Prairieburg Telephone Company Inc. received a $1,993,775 USDA loan and a $1,993,775 USDA grant to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. The funding comes from the USDA’s ReConnect Program, which is…
Waterloo Fiber, a new city-owned and operated broadband internet utility, officially launched with a groundbreaking event on Wednesday. More than 84% of residents voted in a referendum in favor of a $20 million general obligation bond to build the fiber network. The service will offer up to 10 gigabit speeds…
The Office of the Chief Information Officer has issued a Notice of Funding Availability, making available $148,960,000 in new program funds under the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant program. The application window is open until 5 p.m. Aug. 25. More information and application materials are available on the OCIO website.
Waterloo Fiber Internet, the city’s new, locally owned and operated municipal fiber internet utility, has announced that Eric Lage has been appointed as the first general manager of telecommunications for the utility. Lage served as general manager of Reinbeck Telecommunications Utility for nine years. The city of Waterloo and Waterloo…
The Biden administration announced this week $42.45 billion in funding from the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program going to all U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia, including over $415 million to Iowa. The funding will support grant programs that deploy or upgrade broadband networks ensuring everyone has…
Empower Rural Iowa grant program has invested over $350M so far By Lisa Rossi More than 100,000 homes, schools and businesses across Iowa will now have access to broadband internet due to a grant program that is funneling hundreds of millions in funding toward this effort. Rural Iowans say broadband…