South Slope to receive $1.04 million for broadband

North Liberty-based South Slope Cooperative Telephone was among 39 applicants to be awarded a total of $97,500,000 for broadband infrastructure as part of the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program.

South Slope received $1.04 million for expansion of the Rural Tiffin Fiber-to-the-Premise project.

The Office of the Chief Information Officer said in a news release it had received 178 applications from broadband providers, with requests nearing $300 million.

East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative in Winthrop received $81,304 for its county line project.

“The nearly 200 applications as well as the size and scope of these projects reflect the demand and need for quality accessible broadband throughout Iowa,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said in August.

“This effort will open new doors for Iowa communities large and small, resulting in one of the most significant broadband build-outs in the entire country.”