DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds today (Wednesday) announced the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) has recently concluded the review of 17 broadband grant applications and awarded $1.3 million in grant funds to 7 projects across the State of Iowa. Locally, grants were approved for the proposed “CR1″ Carroll rural fiber optic project, in the amount of $98,448, and the City of Adair’s fiber project, in the amount of $138,900.

The seven projects across the State in total, represent over $13 million in new investment in broadband infrastructure covering approximately 760 square miles in 12 counties. The Governor said “My budget called for $20 million in broadband infrastructure over the next two years to accelerate expansion and leverage an additional $120 million in private investment for high-speed Internet. This announcement is a step in the right direction for greater broadband connectivity, but there’s much more to do. That’s why I will continue to work with lawmakers next year to secure more funding to empower rural communities for generations to come.”

Jeff Franklin, the State’s Chief Information Officer, said “Over 7,200 homes, schools, businesses, and farms that previously did not have access to high-speed Internet service will soon have broadband access as a result of the awarded projects. ” The 17 applications requested a combined total of $4,818,892 in state broadband grant funding.