INDIANAPOLIS - Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which is a part of the White House’s “Internet for All” initiative, Indiana was allocated over $868 million to bring Hoosiers across the state improved and increased access to high-speed internet. 

The program was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It was signed into law in 2021 and since then, it has received a total of over $400 billion that has been distributed across all US states and territories. The law has also boosted the economy by producing millions of jobs, with a record-high in the construction sector. In Indiana specifically, unemployment dropped to 3.6%.

Despite the huge benefits the program proposed and the support it received from both sides of the aisle prior to becoming law, no Republican from Indiana voted for its approval.

“This is a huge step for Indiana and its implementation will help communities across Indiana despite a frustrating lack of support from our Republican legislators,” said Indiana Democratic Chairman Mike Schmuhl.

“Functioning in today’s digital age without access to the internet is next to impossible. By utilizing President Biden’s far-reaching program, we are giving Hoosiers the ability to educate themselves, stay up-to-date on paying their bills, and apply for jobs with ease. When we strengthen the smallest communities, we make our states and nation even stronger.”