In September, large grants were handed out by the state of Iowa to broadband providers. 

According to the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), the state of Iowa Broadband Grant Program gave out $100 million to 39 recipients. Guthrie County received some of the funds with just $2 million going to Casey Mutual Telephone for their Casey Mutual Rural Fiber Project. One of the sponsors of the legislation was State Representative Ray Sorensen and he tells Raccoon Valley Radio about the updates on how those grants are making improvements.

“It’s going to take a little while for all that money, and all that fiber, and fixed wireless to roll out, and get to the places that it needs. But we’re already seeing the maps and how it’s laying out already. So good news.  You can’t snap your fingers and lay fiber. It’s, you know, it’s an extensive process.”

Sorenson adds for the common person a $100 million grant for broadband seems like a lot but after additional costs like construction and materials it is just a small step. Sorensen says he will continue to push for more funding for broadband in this upcoming legislative session.