Earlier this week, the Department of Management Division of Information Technology awarded more than $148 million as part of the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program. Thirty-nine broadband providers representing 47 Iowa counties received a Notice of Intent to Award.

Of the 39, Kalona Cooperative Telephone Company is set to receive $3,120,782.33. Also receiving funds is Wellman Cooperative Telephone Association, who were awarded $2,698,551, while Sharon Telephone Company out of Hills will receive $1,842,400.

This round of grants will be used to incentivize broadband infrastructure built out in newly established Broadband Intervention Zones (BIZ). Ninety-six BIZ zones have been created across the state in areas deemed to be in the most need for broadband infrastructure expansion.

To view all of the awarded grants through the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program, click here.