Capitol Notebook: Kim Reynolds announces nearly $150 million in broadband funding

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced nearly $150 million in funding for broadband development Monday, focused on areas with the highest need for high-speed internet.

The latest round of the Empower Rural Broadband Grant Program will make available up to $149 million for qualified broadband projects in underserved areas. Funding for the projects will come from the 2021 federal American Rescue Plan Act.

“Iowans deserve access to reliable, fast broadband,” Reynolds said in a news release. “Reliable internet connections are needed to live, work, and raise a family. This investment in infrastructure gets us one step closer to providing easy internet access to all Iowans.”

Unlike previous broadband funding opportunities, these grants will be focused on 96 “Broadband Intervention Zones” around the state — areas that have been identified as having a critical need for broadband access. The zones were identified using feedback from dozens of public meetings, the governor’s office said in the news release.

Internet providers can begin applying for state grants July 14. The state will announce the selected projects in September.

It will be the eighth round of funding through the program seeking to bolster Iowa’s internet speeds in rural areas. The program has awarded more than $350 million in federal and state dollars over the last seven rounds of funding.

Reynolds appoints new district court judges

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed three new district court judges to fill vacancies.

Reynolds appointed Ottumwa attorney Michael Carpenter to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of 8th Judicial District Judge Lucy Gamon. The judicial district includes Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Monroe, Poweshiek, Wapello, Washington and Van Buren counties.

Eric Nelson, of Council Bluffs, was appointed to the fill vacancy created by the retirement of 4th Judicial District Judge Gregory W. Steensland. Nelson currently serves as an associate district judge. The district covers Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties.

Patrick Smith, of Des Moines, was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the recent retirement of District Judge William P. Kelly for the judicial district that includes Polk County. Smith serves as an attorney for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.