Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly announced a $25,140,315 grant for Ivy Tech campuses across Indiana to connect to the existing I-Light broadband network for Indiana education and research.   The 21 Ivy Tech campuses benefitting from this funding include Elkhart, Michigan City, Kokomo, and the future Logansport campus.  The grant, funded through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act supported by Congressman Donnelly last spring, is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). 

“Increasing broadband access will not only benefit the students at Ivy Tech, it will also impact surrounding communities,” said Congressman Donnelly.  “Expanding access to broadband is absolutely crucial if Hoosier communities, entrepreneurs and schools are to compete and be successful in the 21st Century.  I welcome this funding to our area and look forward to folks taking full advantage of the increased online educational options that Ivy Tech will be able to provide.”

“I’m excited about this opportunity,” said Thomas J. Snyder, Ivy Tech President.  “This is not only great for our students; it is great for our entire state.  I appreciate the support from Indiana’s congressional delegation, and I thank Congressman Donnelly for supporting this project which will benefit all Hoosiers.”

The BTOP is a program through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and was created by the Recovery Act to provide grants to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas, enhance and expand public computer centers, and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service.  The I-Light is the State of Indiana's optical fiber network for higher education, and intends to connect every college and university in Indiana.

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