(Des Moines, IA) — Nearly 200 applicants are seeking about 300-million dollars in state grants to extend and expand broadband service in Iowa, but only 100 million will be awarded.
The legislature set aside 100 million for broadband projects this year. State officials say 178 broadband providers submitted grant applications by the deadline on July 28th and the grant awards will be announced in September. Governor Reynolds says she intends to seek federal funds to supplement the 100-million dollars in state grant money that will be awarded.
Iowa ranks 45th in the country in broadband access and has the second slowest download speeds.