Heartland Forward is a nonpartisan, nonprofit “think and do tank” focused on improving economic performance in the center of the United States. Its Connecting the Heartland initiative aims to boost internet availability, speeds, and adoption rates across America’s heartland.

With the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration distributing $42.5 billion to states for broadband infrastructure deployment, community engagement and planning are paramount if federal funds are to be used effectively and efficiently.

Angie Cooper, chief program officer at Heartland Forward, said, “With unprecedented federal funding to increase access to high-speed internet, it is so important for local communities to have the tools necessary to create a plan to ensure their residents are connected as soon as possible.”

Heartland Forward collaborated with the Illinois Office of Broadband and University of Illinois Extension and supported the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society to lead the Accelerate Illinois Broadband Infrastructure Planning Program, helping communities get ready to leverage federal and state funds for community-driven broadband expansion. The 14-week Accelerate program, and this guidebook, focus on engaging community leaders to develop broadband plans to address their unique connectivity needs.

“The cross-sector collaboration that we’ve really homed in on is the differentiator with this program,” said Matt Schmit, director of the Illinois Office of Broadband. “The office is incredibly lean—two full-time employees, the way it’s been from day one. For two years, we’ve been probably one of the smallest offices of broadband in the country administering one of the largest grant programs. So, if we're going to do anything beyond [our] infrastructure grant program, we’ve really got to forge partnerships and collaborate externally. It’s been a great pleasure to work with the Benton Institute and other stakeholders, such as University of Illinois Extension and other philanthropic partners. It’s a differentiator for this program—that we really forge these bonds external to the Office of Broadband to make it succeed.”

In addition to Illinois, Heartland Forward focuses its efforts on closing the digital divide in Ohio, Arkansas, and Tennessee and is currently supporting Accelerate programs in Illinois, Ohio, and Arkansas.

 We appreciate the contribution of Angie Cooper, Chief Program Officer, Heartland Forward, who worked with us on this article.

Adrianne B. Furniss is the Executive Director of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.

More in this series

• Chicago Mobilized Philanthropy to Connect School Kids, Then Built On These Partnerships to Accomplish Broader Digital Equity Goals
• Heartland Forward Helps Accelerate Community-Driven Broadband Infrastructure Planning
• Philanthropy Builds Capacity So Equity Is at the Forefront of Broadband Infrastructure Dollars Spent in California
• Experts in Community Networks and Tribal Connectivity Collaborate With Philanthropy to Address the Digital Divide in Native American Communities
• The Just Transition Fund Invests in Closing the Digital Divide to Strengthen Economic Resilience in Coal-Affected Communities
• Health Conversion Foundations Leverage Matching Grants to Bring Broadband Infrastructure to Virginia Counties
• Texas Rural Funders Plays an Essential Role in State Broadband Efforts
• Philanthropy Joins Hands to Build a New Generation of Leaders to Help Bring People Online
• Island Institute’s Rural Community Engagement Amplifies Maine’s Broadband Efforts

These articles and much more in Pathways to Digital Equity: How Communities Can Reach Their Broadband Goals—and How Philanthropy Can Help

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities.

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Broadband Delivers Opportunities and Strengthens Communities