Broadband Innovation Fund Generates More Than 100 Proposals

Roxana Ryan
Published: September 21, 2012

Illinois organizations submit proposals to stimulate broadband adoption and usage across the state

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, September 21, 2012 – More than 100 private, public, and nonprofit Illinois organizations have submitted proposals to utilize high-speed internet networks to develop opportunities in healthcare, education, job creation, public safety and more.  

Announced August 16 by the non-profit organization Broadband Illinois, the Broadband Innovation Fund received 113 applications by the September 18 deadline. The applications requested more than $7 million in funding for high-speed internet adoption and usage programs, and have proposed programs with an aggregate today of more than $26 million.

The Broadband Innovation Fund, the first internet adoption and usage grant program of its kind in Illinois, will award at total of up to $500,000 to organizations with creative plans to improve the quality of life for local citizens using a broadband platform. Companies, governments and non-profit groups were eligible to apply for amounts between $10,000 and $100,000.

“This statewide response to the Broadband Innovation Fund has demonstrated a pent-up demand for creative broadband usage programs in our state,” said Drew Clark, Executive Director of Broadband Illinois.  “The breadth of topics and geographic diversity of applicants demonstrates the strong interest in efforts to use Better Broadband for Better Lives.”

An evaluation team is reviewing proposals and awards are expected to be announced by September 29, 2012.

Program information will be continually updated on www.broadbandillinois.org/innovation. Email innovation@broadbandillinois.org with questions.

Illinois Broadband Innovation Fund by the numbers:

• 113 proposals received by September 18 deadline.
• $7,359,864.39 requested from the Broadband Innovation Fund.
• $26,634,380.83 in total project costs.

eTeam breakdown of proposals received:

• Chicagoland 45
• Northwest 14
• Western 9
• Southwest Central 7
• Southern 8
• Southeast Central 7
• Northern 4
• Central 10
• Northeast Central 6
• North Central 3

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