Following the end of the 89th Iowa General Assembly, a bill that was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds established grant funding to improve broadband internet access. 

The latest Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program has received 178 applications from broadband providers. The applications requested $292 million in grant funding which equates to a 3-to-1 ratio to funds requested and funds available and Iowa will look into leveraging those funds. The legislature allocated $100 million for the first year of available grant funds.

According to Representative for Iowa House District 20 Ray Sorenson the goal is to facilitate internet providers to Iowans who do not  have quality or even no internet access.  

He says grant funds will be awarded next month.