Indiana aims to keep local communities informed about BEAD

All states are tackling broadband accessibility in some way, but each is taking its own approach. What Indiana’s focusing on, according to Deputy Broadband Director Earnie Holtrey, is getting everyone on the same page about the broadband landscape, particularly with the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Holtrey said in his office’s community engagement sessions with counties “one of the questions right away that we ask is who’s heard of BEAD, and usually it’s 25% to 50% of the room.” “That’s a pretty small percentage, I think, given that we are inviting leaders from schools, hospitals, libraries, community foundations, chambers of commerce, local elected officials,” Holtrey went on to say. He noted communication has to be done on the “micro level” with each individual city, town or county that lacks broadband connectivity, so that they can prepare for the BEAD funds that will roll in 2024.