2020: Highlighted the urgent need for broadband infrastructure due to increased demand for connectivity, remote learning, telehealth, online commerce, and e-government.
Next Level Connection (NLC) Program: Addresses broadband connectivity needs in Indiana.
Priorities of Previous Rounds:
Areas with broadband speeds below 100 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream.
Areas lacking reliable fixed terrestrial broadband access.
Areas with a compelling need for broadband services.
Administration: Managed by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) on behalf of the Office of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Office of Governor Eric Holcomb.
Funding Source: Indiana’s appropriation from the US Department of Treasury’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Funding Purpose: Support investments in broadband infrastructure to respond to the pandemic and its economic impacts.
Investment: Millions towards bridging the digital divide in Indiana.
Grant Maximum: Up to $5 million per grant.
Stakeholder Engagement: Applicants must engage community leaders and stakeholders (libraries, education institutions, healthcare, businesses, non-profits) in project development.
Goals: Projects should be strategic, scalable, and address critical access gaps to support quality of life and economic viability.
1. Limitation on Submissions:
Entities can submit multiple initial full applications if each describes a unique project.
Projects must be in contiguous counties.
Lower grant requests for previously reviewed and compliant project areas are allowed.
2. Determining Priority Areas:
Focus: Addresses designated as priority by OCRA:
Addresses eligible in multiple Indiana Connectivity Program rounds.
Addresses from canceled Next Level Connections Round 3 projects.
Addresses removed from modified Next Level Connections Round 3 projects.
Addresses from rescinded federal or state programs.
Scoring: Including priority addresses can earn up to 100 points (one-third of total points), with addresses from OCRA Broadband programs yielding the most points.
3. Address Pool:
Source: Data from the FCC and county governments used to determine available addresses.
Priority Addresses: Addresses that were previously targeted by OCRA or federal programs or available in multiple Indiana Connectivity Program rounds.
4. Submission Details:
Methods: Submit applications via NLC@ocra.in.gov. Large files should be uploaded to an FTP site. Contact OCRA for FTP access.
Formatting: Submit documents in Adobe PDF format with 8.5 x 11 inch pages, 1-inch margins, and a minimum font size of 12 points. Include the Control Number on every page.
5. Competitive Application Process:
Submission Window: 14 business days after initial applications are published.
Requirements: Must offer a lower grant request for the same service area and reference the original Control Number.
Modification: Initial applicants may modify their grant requests in response to competitive applications.
6. Application Components:
Required Documents:
Project Narrative
Project Schedule
Technology Specifications
Proposed Area Maps
GIS Shapefile or Google Earth KMZ
Address Data List (Excel template)
Budget Table (Excel template)
Summary for Public Release
Authorizing Affidavit and Partner Affidavits
Funding Commitments
Letters of Community Need and Support
Five-Year Standalone Financial Plan
Current Financial Statement
(Optional) Survey Results from Speed Tests (Excel template)
7. Evaluation and Scoring:
Initial Review: Ensures applications meet eligibility and formatting requirements.
Merit Review: Comprehensive assessment based on criteria outlined in the application instructions.
Points for Priority Addresses: Additional points for including priority addresses.
8. Revisions and Deadlines:
Revisions: Allowed until the submission deadline.
Deadlines: Strict adherence required. Late submissions will not be considered.
9. Questions and Support:
Contact: For questions, email NLC@ocra.in.gov.
Application Materials: Available on the OCRA NLC website.
2020: Highlighted the urgent need for broadband infrastructure due to increased demand for connectivity, remote learning, telehealth, online commerce, and e-government.
Next Level Connection (NLC) Program: Addresses broadband connectivity needs in Indiana.
Priorities of Previous Rounds:
Areas with broadband speeds below 100 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream.
Areas lacking reliable fixed terrestrial broadband access.
Areas with a compelling need for broadband services.
Administration: Managed by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) on behalf of the Office of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Office of Governor Eric Holcomb.
Funding Source: Indiana’s appropriation from the US Department of Treasury’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Funding Purpose: Support investments in broadband infrastructure to respond to the pandemic and its economic impacts.
Investment: Millions towards bridging the digital divide in Indiana.
Grant Maximum: Up to $5 million per grant.
Stakeholder Engagement: Applicants must engage community leaders and stakeholders (libraries, education institutions, healthcare, businesses, non-profits) in project development.
Goals: Projects should be strategic, scalable, and address critical access gaps to support quality of life and economic viability.
1. Limitation on Submissions:
Entities can submit multiple initial full applications if each describes a unique project.
Projects must be in contiguous counties.
Lower grant requests for previously reviewed and compliant project areas are allowed.
2. Determining Priority Areas:
Focus: Addresses designated as priority by OCRA:
Addresses eligible in multiple Indiana Connectivity Program rounds.
Addresses from canceled Next Level Connections Round 3 projects.
Addresses removed from modified Next Level Connections Round 3 projects.
Addresses from rescinded federal or state programs.
Scoring: Including priority addresses can earn up to 100 points (one-third of total points), with addresses from OCRA Broadband programs yielding the most points.
3. Address Pool:
Source: Data from the FCC and county governments used to determine available addresses.
Priority Addresses: Addresses that were previously targeted by OCRA or federal programs or available in multiple Indiana Connectivity Program rounds.
4. Submission Details:
Methods: Submit applications via NLC@ocra.in.gov. Large files should be uploaded to an FTP site. Contact OCRA for FTP access.
Formatting: Submit documents in Adobe PDF format with 8.5 x 11 inch pages, 1-inch margins, and a minimum font size of 12 points. Include the Control Number on every page.
5. Competitive Application Process:
Submission Window: 14 business days after initial applications are published.
Requirements: Must offer a lower grant request for the same service area and reference the original Control Number.
Modification: Initial applicants may modify their grant requests in response to competitive applications.
6. Application Components:
Required Documents:
Project Narrative
Project Schedule
Technology Specifications
Proposed Area Maps
GIS Shapefile or Google Earth KMZ
Address Data List (Excel template)
Budget Table (Excel template)
Summary for Public Release
Authorizing Affidavit and Partner Affidavits
Funding Commitments
Letters of Community Need and Support
Five-Year Standalone Financial Plan
Current Financial Statement
(Optional) Survey Results from Speed Tests (Excel template)
7. Evaluation and Scoring:
Initial Review: Ensures applications meet eligibility and formatting requirements.
Merit Review: Comprehensive assessment based on criteria outlined in the application instructions.
Points for Priority Addresses: Additional points for including priority addresses.
8. Revisions and Deadlines:
Revisions: Allowed until the submission deadline.
Deadlines: Strict adherence required. Late submissions will not be considered.
9. Questions and Support:
Contact: For questions, email NLC@ocra.in.gov.
Application Materials: Available on the OCRA NLC website.
