Heartland Forward Helps Accelerate Community-Driven Broadband Infrastructure Planning

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.