Stay Informed

The COVID-19 pandemic showed many Indiana residents, especially those living in rural areas, that their internet speeds were insufficient and unreliable for working and learning from home. In response to this issue, Indiana Farm Bureau formed the Indiana Broadband Strategic Partnership (IBSP) earlier this year.  

The goal of IBSP is to help bring reliable broadband to the most unserved and underserved communities across the state. More than 40 organizations in Indiana have joined this partnership, and the number continues to grow.

One of the IBSP’s main projects is the Indiana Speed Test.  This is a crowd-sourced internet speed test created by GEO Partners LLC. The data collected will be available to local governments and organized broadband groups to analyze potential solutions and aid their applications for Indiana’s Next Level Connections Grants and a variety of federal grants. The test may be performed multiple times on any device that has an internet or cellular connection, takes less than one minute to complete and collects no personal information. To complete the speed test, visit www.infb.org/speedtest.

Some of the companies to partner with IBSP include Cook Medical Group, Duke Energy Foundation, the Purdue Center for Regional Development, Association of Indiana Counties, Indiana Hospital Association, Indiana School Boards Association and IU Health.

While these organizations are focusing on increasing broadband reliability across the state, there are many ways for members to help broadband efforts at the local level as well.

One option for local involvement is to start or join a broadband task force.

Several Indiana counties, including Knox, Rush and Wayne, have formed broadband task forces. Membership in a task force typically includes representatives from the county government, community foundation, schools, economic development organizations, ag organizations and nonprofits.

The task forces work to send out surveys and speed tests and to find solutions for the lack of broadband access in their areas.

A map of broadband task forces around Indiana is available at www.in.gov/indianabroadband. If there is not currently a task force in your county, consider starting the conversation with other county leaders.

Another way to help broadband efforts at the local level is to ask county officials to dedicate ARPA funds toward rural broadband.

ARPA stands for American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which provides $350 billion in funding for state and local governments. The local funding portion is approximately $130 billion, equally divided between cities and counties. Expanding broadband infrastructure is one of the eligible uses for ARPA funds.

No contribution to this issue is too small. Members are encouraged to share their stories with elected officials and continue to advocate for rural broadband expansion.