(Des Moines, IA) -- Nearly $100 million in grants are being awarded to broadband providers for expansion. The Office of the Chief Information Officer for Iowa announced the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program Tuesday, which will award 39 different grants totaling $97.5 million.
Read a PDF of the 28 recipients of the Broadband Grants Program
In a statement, Gov. Kim Reynolds said, "Expanding broadband across our state continues to be a top priority. It is clear by the sheer volume and scope of applications that the need is there. Today’s award announcement will go a long way toward meeting that need, and we won’t stop here."
The money will provide funds to expand broadband availability and speed across Iowa.
The state received 178 total grant applications which nearly totaled $300 million, according to officials. Using the American Rescue Plan Act, the state plans to offer more grants to meet demands.