Greene County companies awarded $3 million in broadband funding

Staff Report

Internet access should become a bit more accessible in the near future for much of rural Greene County.

Iowa governor Kim Reynolds and the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) announced the latest recipients of the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grants Program, with Jefferson Telephone Company among one of the biggest proprietors. 
Funding of more than $210M for new broadband infrastructure was awarded to 160 applicants as part of the latest investment in expanding broadband across the state.
The Jefferson Telephone Company has been awarded $2.5 million of said monies. Likewise, the Scranton Telephone Company was granted $533,298 for a project in the Ralston area, pushing Greene County’s total grant money over the $3 million threshold.
The federal initiative is meant to extend broadband internet access to rural areas throughout the state.

“Our commitment to high-speed, reliable broadband for all Iowans continues to make great progress,” said Gov. Reynolds. “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. 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.
Of note, Coon Rapids Municipal Utilities was granted $584,239.

The OCIO will expedite an additional federally-funded grant opportunity in the first half of 2022 to continue expanding access to broadband in unserved and rural areas across Iowa which have not been built out in the previous grant opportunities.