Earlier this month, the State of Iowa identified and ranked 96 new “Broadband Intervention Zones” for its Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program. The status makes areas eligible for “enhanced incentives” and “higher prioritization” for state dollars, according to a news release from the state.
These zones identified by local partners was a new and unique effort by the state to target low speed and serviced areas missed in previous efforts but identified by local government agencies and economic development experts. Last week, Governor Reynolds announced almost $150 million directed to those areas using state COVID relief dollars from the Biden Administration.
The Ames MSA had two such successful applications for this special status. One by Story County for an area in the central portion of that county, another is a partnership between Boone County and Story County with the Mid-Iowa Planning Alliance for an area that covers portions of both along their joint border north of Highway 30. The qualification process was a regional team effort, the Ames Chamber of Commerce supported both applications with help in staffing, letters of support and research identifying overlooked areas.
Broadband is an essential service for both urban and rural communities across the region, it is crucial for economic development, healthcare, public safety, education, job creation and quality of life initiatives.
Broadband funding remains a top priority of both Governor Reynolds and the Biden Administration over the next several years. This week, Iowa was awarded over $415 million in new Federal funding to keep filling in such broadband needs across the state in underserved areas. It will remain a top priority for all partners in these efforts to keep attracting these funds to cover all corners of the Ames MSA.
